Senator Proposes Renewable Energy Bill

None by Jeff Robinson

(KCPW News) Democratic Utah Senator Scott McCoy says the state has an abundance of pollution-free renewable energy resources, so today he introduced the Utah Renewable Energy and Economic Development Act. The bill sets a standard of 25 by 25 - that is, 25 percent of the state's energy would have to come from renewable sources by the year 2025.

McCoy says 26 other states already have that kind of standard in place, and that Utah and Idaho are holding out.

The bill defines four types of power as renewable: wind, solar, geothermal and biomass.

McCoy says the bill is a rural development tool that will give economic incentives to areas that have renewable resources. It would set up a task force to create renewable energy zones.

McCoy's bill will be competing with another energy bill expected to be introduced by Republican Senator Curt Bramble. Although the language of that bill is not yet public, McCoy supporters are already criticizing it. McCoy's bill has not yet been assigned to a committee.

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