In a major victory for sound energy, environmental and economic policies advocated by the Net Zero Reality Coalition, coalition member Ken Ivory’s Energy Security Bill HB425 has been approved by the Utah legislature and awaits Governor Spencer Cox’s signature.
This landmark legislation explicitly recognizes the need for electricity that is “adequate, reliable, affordable, sustainable, clean” and “dispatchable” (available on demand in quantities required at any given moment). It clarifies that such electricity is essential for low and stable consumer prices, economic prosperity, and the “health, safety and welfare” of Utah citizens.
HB425 underscores that Utah supports and promotes both renewable and nonrenewable energy systems – including coal, gas, oil shale, nuclear, wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal and other sources. It clearly states that Utah has both a “duty” and “sovereign authority” to defend all necessary electricity generation from “external regulatory interference.”
The legislation thus requires “at least” 180-day prior notification of any decommissioning, disposal, retirement or closure of electricity generation facilities and equipment, whether proposed or being “forced” due to federal mandates or the high costs of compliance with federal regulations. It gives the Attorney General authority to take legal or other actions to defend the state’s energy interests.
The Energy Security Amendments thereby implicitly recognize risks associated with intermittent, weather-dependent wind and solar electricity generation. They also reflect the reality that mining, ore processing, factory operations and transportation associated with manufacturing and installing wind turbines, solar panels, transformers, transmission lines, and grid-stabilizing and backup-power battery modules generate significant emissions across the “entire life cycle” of those “clean” energy sources.
Those emissions must therefore be taken into account during any evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages, pros and cons, of coal or natural gas generation facilities versus wind, solar, hydrogen or other electricity generation options.
Energy Security Bill HB425 underscores the need for thorough and transparent long-term planning for energy security and will likely serve as a model or template for legislation in other states.