1. Utah can be a leader in providing affordable, sustainable, secure energy to grow our economy and protect our environment. Utah has a strong base in conventional fossil fuels and technology that are providing and will continue to provide jobs and produce energy more efficiently and with less pollution. Utah is also endowed with high quality renewable energy sources (wind, geothermal and solar) that provide the opportunity for economic growth.

2. Energy Policy, Environmental and Climate Change Policy, and Economic Policy are inter-related. Building a diversified energy portfolio that includes both conventional and renewable resources can have positive impacts on the environment and the economy. Policies that sustain environmental quality must be affordable and enable us to meet our energy needs.

3. Climate Change is happening. “Ongoing greenhouse gas emissions at or above current levels will further alter the Earth’s climate and very likely produce global temperature, sea level, and snow and ice changes greater than those observed during the 20th century.” [See the Blue Ribbon Advisory Council on Climate Change Report, 2007, at http://www.energy.utah.gov/Utah_Actions/Reports.htm] Scientists have the ability to study the effects of pollution from human activities as well as changes due to natural events. The objective is not to attribute blame, but to understand how human actions influence climate, and how we can reduce emissions and mitigate and adapt to changes in our global and local environments.

4. The strategies that we employ to reduce criteria air pollutants (PM2.5 and ozone precursors) can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions. On the Wasatch Front, more than 50 percent of the air pollution that threatens our health on “bad air” days comes from sources that also produce a large amount of greenhouse gas emissions: our cars and trucks. For example, reducing the amount of driving we do (vehicle miles traveled), driving a more fuel efficient vehicle (a hybrid or a vehicle that gets more miles per gallon of fuel), or using cleaner fuels (such as compressed natural gas) will reduce PM2.5, ozone, and greenhouse gas emissions.

5. Diversifying our energy portfolio, implementing technologies to reduce emissions from fossil fuels, and increasing the amount of energy generated from renewable sources can reduce PM2.5, ozone, and greenhouse gas emissions.

6. Developing Utah’s renewable and conventional energy sources can improve our energy security, reduce imports of foreign petroleum, generate the energy needed to fuel our economy, provide careers, and reduce pollution.

7. Energy efficiency — getting the same amount of heat, light, or transportation – while using less fuel, save fuel and money.

8. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. (r) Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead (Used with permission)