Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 388 Fourth Substitute (2021GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Albrecht, C.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/22/2021

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• amends the state energy policy to include a policy of developing energy resources with the intent to:
• promote the development of pumped storage and advanced energy systems including hydrogen;
• respond to disruptions in state energy resources; and
• maintain reserves in case of disruptions.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

STATE ENERGY POLICY AMENDMENTS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Carl R. Albrecht
Senate Sponsor: 
Ronald M. Winterton
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill amends the state energy policy.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ amends the state energy policy to include a policy of developing energy resources
with the intent to:
• promote the development of pumped storage and advanced energy systems
including hydrogen;
• respond to disruptions in state energy resources; and
• maintain reserves in case of disruptions.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
63M-4-301
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 415
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
63M-4-301
 is amended to read:
63M-4-301.
State energy policy.
(1) It is the policy of the state that:
(a) Utah shall have adequate, reliable, affordable, sustainable, and clean energy
resources;
(b) Utah will promote the development of:
(i) nonrenewable energy resources, including natural gas, coal, oil, oil shale, and oil
sands;
(ii) renewable energy resources, including geothermal, solar, wind, biomass, biofuel,
and hydroelectric;
(iii) nuclear power generation technologies certified for use by the United States
Nuclear Regulatory Commission including molten salt reactors producing medical isotopes;
(iv) alternative transportation fuels and technologies;
(v) infrastructure to facilitate energy development, diversified modes of transportation,
greater access to domestic and international markets for Utah's resources, and advanced
transmission systems;
(vi) energy storage
, pumped storage,
 and other advanced energy systems
, including
hydrogen from all sources
; [
and
]
(vii) electricity systems that can be controlled at the request of grid operators to meet
system load demands, to ensure an adequate supply of dispatchable energy generation
resources; and
[
(vii)
] 
(viii)
 increased refinery capacity;
(c) Utah will promote the development of resources and infrastructure sufficient to
meet the state's growing demand, while contributing to the regional and national energy supply,
thus reducing dependence on international energy sources;
(d) Utah will promote the development of resources, tools, and infrastructure to
enhance the state's ability to:
(i) respond effectively to significant disruptions to the state's energy generation, energy
delivery systems, or fuel supplies; and
(ii) maintain adequate supply, including reserves of proven and cost-effective
dispatchable electricity reserves to meet grid demand;
[
(d)
] 
(e)
 Utah will allow market forces to drive prudent use of energy resources,
although incentives and other methods may be used to ensure the state's optimal development
and use of energy resources in the short- and long-term;
[
(e)
] 
(f)
 Utah will pursue energy conservation, energy efficiency, and environmental
quality;
[
(f)
] 
(g)
 (i) state regulatory processes should be streamlined to balance economic costs
with the level of review necessary to ensure protection of the state's various interests; and
(ii) where federal action is required, Utah will encourage expedited federal action and
will collaborate with federal agencies to expedite review;
[
(g)
] 
(h)
 Utah will maintain an environment that provides for stable consumer prices
that are as low as possible while providing producers and suppliers a fair return on investment,
recognizing that:
(i) economic prosperity is linked to the availability, reliability, and affordability of
consumer energy supplies; and
(ii) investment will occur only when adequate financial returns can be realized; and
[
(h)
] 
(i)
 Utah will promote training and education programs focused on developing a
comprehensive understanding of energy, including:
(i) programs addressing:
(A) energy conservation;
(B) energy efficiency;
(C) supply and demand; and
(D) energy related workforce development; and
(ii) energy education programs in grades K-12.
(2) State agencies are encouraged to conduct agency activities consistent with
Subsection (1).
(3) A person may not file suit to challenge a state agency's action that is inconsistent
with Subsection (1).