Americans for Prosperity (AFP) exists to recruit, educate, and mobilize citizens in support of the policies and goals of a free society at the local, state, and federal level, helping every American live their dream – especially the least fortunate. AFP has more than 3.2 million activists across the nation, a local infrastructure that includes 35 state chapters, and has received financial support from more than 100,000 Americans in all 50 states. For more information, visit www.AmericansForProsperity.org
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Salt Lake City and Utah Clean Energy Unveil “A Bright Future:
10 Year Solar Deployment Plan”
Plan offers fair, implementable solutions for solar customers and utilities
SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 2, 2017 - At a press conference today at the Utah State Capitol, Utah Clean Energy and Salt Lake City revealed details of a 10-year plan to reduce costs, simplify and expand rooftop solar in the city and state. A Bright Future: 10 Year Solar Deployment Plan offers a suite of readily-available, implementable solutions to position Utah as a leader in the nation’s solar market. The plan was developed as part of the Wasatch Solar Project, and is one of only 15 initiatives in the country to receive funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Market Pathways Initiative.
Utah’s rooftop solar market has nearly doubled every year for the past 10 years, and the estimated annual economic benefit to Utah’s economy rose to $300 million in 2016. According to the Department of Energy’s 2017 U.S. Energy and Employment Report, solar electric generation represents more than 5,894 jobs in Utah.
"Utah's affordable, abundant energy sources support our diverse economy and high quality of life," said Ben Hart, managing director at the Governor's Office of Economic Development. "Solar is one of Utah's fastest growing energy generation resource, and I applaud the solar industry for its success in our state."
In forming the plan, Utah Clean Energy sought input from representatives of solar companies, utilities, local and state government, financiers and community and business organizations. The team then developed solutions that will help the solar industry grow in a manner that is fair for both consumers and utilities.
Salt Lake City’s Sustainability Department Director Vicki Bennett said, “Solar power is a local, inexhaustible, clean energy resource that will draw new investments to Utah and continue to create new jobs and grow our economy. Salt Lake City is committed to expanding rooftop solar. Considering all of the economic and health benefits of solar, we urge our leaders and policy makers to look seriously at how we can implement this plan.”
Recent data from the Utah Department of Energy showed that the solar industry in Utah employs more people than all other electrical power generation segments combined. Solar power has quickly become a critical component of the national power landscape as well: solar accounted for 65 percent of new energy resources in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2016, and there are now 374,000 Americans employed in the solar industry.
“Because more and more people are adopting clean energy solutions such as rooftop solar, we must now pave the way to capitalize on our amazing solar resource,” said Sarah Wright, Utah Clean Energy executive director.
Primary Recommendations from the 10 Year Solar Deployment Plan include:
“With Utah’s solar future at a crossroads, the 10 Year Solar Deployment Plan provides a clear path to overcome challenges and guide the development of a sustainable and robust solar market across Utah,” said Wright. “We look forward to working with utilities and community organizations to find solutions that will leverage investments in rooftop solar and capitalize on Utah’s abundant sunshine and innovation. We see a bright future indeed for solar energy in Utah.”
For a copy of the 10 Year Solar Deployment Plan visit utahcleanenergy.org.
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About Utah Clean Energy
Utah Clean Energy is Utah’s leading, expert, public interest organization working to expand renewable energy and energy efficiency in a way that is beneficial not only for Utah’s environment and health, but our economy and long-term energy security. Utah Clean Energy is committed to creating a future that ensures healthy, thriving communities for all, empowered and sustained by clean energy.
About Salt Lake City Sustainability Department
The Salt Lake City Sustainability Department aims to preserve and improve our built and natural environments and provide residents information on sustainability issues affecting Salt Lake City. The Department of Sustainability develops goals and strategies to protect our natural resources, reduce pollution, slow climate change, and establish a path toward greater resiliency and vitality for all aspects of our community.
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NATIONAL MINING GROUP APPLAUDS
NEW SAGE GROUSE LEGISLTION
Senator Risch and Rep. Bishop Lead the Efforts to Repeal BLM’s Epic Land Grab
Today, U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) introduced the Greater Sage-Grouse Protection and Recovery Act of 2017 (S.273), allowing states to implement their own specific conservation and management plans to protect greater sage-grouse populations and their habitats, in lieu of federal management. Original co-sponsors of the bill include U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Dean Heller (R-NV), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Steve Daines (R-MT).
Representative Rob Bishop (R-UT) along with 10 co-sponsors have introduced a House version (H.R. 527). The Bill is aimed at halting the rushed Land Use Plans Amendments of the Obama Administration that ignored sound science, states’ rights and led to the lock up of over 10 million acres to mineral access.
“Thank you to Rep. Bishop and Sen. Risch for the leadership necessary to end this epic land grab from our federal government,” said Laura Skaer, AEMA Executive Director. “With this legislation we can restore public land access and end the politically driven policy that led to these deeply flawed plans.”
AEMA will continue to support this legislation and advance sound land use policy with the Trump administration.
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Devon Coquillard
American Exploration & Mining Association
Communications & Outreach
10 N. Post Street / Suite 305
Spokane, WA 99201
@MiningAmerica
@TheMoreYouDig
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---- Utah Senate to Recognize Gail Halvorsen, the ‘Candy Bomber’-----
WHO: Senator Deidre Henderson and Gail Halvorsen, Ret. Colonel USAF, affectionately nicknamed the “Candy Bomber”.
WHAT: Senate Resolution and Reception for Gail Halvorsen. Senate Concurrent Resolution 4 (SCR04), sponsored by Senator Deidre Henderson, recognizes Colonel Halvorsen for his lifetime of service.
WHY: During the Berlin Airlift, Gail Halvorsen brightened the lives of thousands of children in post-war Berlin by dropping parachutes containing candy and gum from his plane. On February 3rd, Colonel Halvorsen will be present for the presentation on SCR04 on the Senate Floor at 11:30am. He will then be present for a reception in the Gold Room at 12:00pm. For more information, see our “Candy Bomber” page on the Senate Site.
WHEN: 11:30 a.m. for the presentation of SCR04 on the Senate Floor and 12:00pm for the Reception in the Gold Room, on February 3rd, 2017.
WHERE: Senate Chamber and then the Gold Room at the Utah State Capitol.
