2022 Capitol Report
Zero Emissions, energy storage, and fossil fuels
The legislative session is heating up! We currently have over 30 environmental-related bills that our team is keeping a close eye on and working to pass or oppose.
Keep reading to learn more about last week’s updates.
Zero-Emissions.
This week H.C.R. 7 passed the house floor.
We are excited to see House Concurrent Resolution Regarding Improving Air Quality Through Enhanced Zero Emission Rail. This bill encourages the industry to transition to zero-emission locomotives and passed the house floor.
Why support? : We support his bill because it encourages the state of Utah to introduce zero-emission standards and technology related to locomotives which will help clean our air and push for economic growth.
Energy Storage.
Our team is keeping an eye on a new bill, HB 272 Energy Storage Amendments.
House Bill 272 Energy storage amendments is a new bill that our team is excited about! One of the biggest concerns about renewable energy is storage. You probably have heard the opposition of “well, the sun doesn’t always shine, and the wind doesn’t always blow” that’s where energy storage comes in!
Why support: This bill addresses the accessibility of energy storage and incentivizes its adoption by creating a pilot grant program related to the purchase of energy storage equipment.
Tax on carbon emissions.
Senate Bill 187 is another bill that our team is excited to see!
Senate Bill 187 is an exciting bill that will provide free public transit, a 10% refundable match of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit for lower-income working families, invest 5 million a year into rural Utah, and finally create a tax on carbon emissions!
All the bills!
SB 136 Air Quality Policy Amendments – Support
Passed the 2nd reading on the Senate floor (20 Yeas, 1 Nay, 8 absent) and moved to the 3rd reading calendar where it is waiting to be heard and voted on the Senate floor.
Was assigned to a standing committee: House Political Subdivisions Committee and is waiting to be put on the agenda to be discussed and voted on before it moves on to the house floor.
Received a fiscal note a couple of weeks ago but STILL has not been assigned to a standing committee and is stuck in the House Rules Committee.
HB 272 Energy Storage Amendments – Support
Received a fiscal note on the 1st of Feb but STILL has not been assigned to a standing committee and is stuck in the House Rules Committee.
Was heard in the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee where it was successfully substituted and passed with a favorable recommendation (7 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Absent). It is now on the senate’s 2nd Reading Calendar.
HB 164 Public Transit Fares– Support
Was assigned to a standing committee: House Revenue and Taxation Committee and is waiting to be put on the agenda to be discussed and voted on before it moves on to the house floor.
Was successfully substituted on the Senate floor and moved to the Senate 3rd Reading Calendar where it is waiting to be heard and voted on the Senate floor.
Received a substitute during Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee and passed out of committee with a favorable recommendation. The bill passed the 2nd reading in the Senate, is now on the 3rd reading calendar waiting to be heard and voted on the Senate floor.
The bill when to House Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environmental Committee but was voted to go back to Rules Committee to be assigned to a new committee. It is now waiting to be put on the agenda in the House Public Utilities, Energy and Technology Committee.
Received a substitute on the house floor and passed out of the house (69 yeas, 0 nays, 6 absent). Was introduced on the Senate floor and is now in the Senate Rules Committee waiting to be assigned to a standing committee.
How to get involved
Not sure how to get involved with these bills? Join us in person or virtually for our citizen lobbying! You can also periodically check our Action Alert page, where email templates are ready for you.