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SALT LAKE CITY -- Energy: what sources to use? Where and how? Those are all questions to be addressed as Gov. Gary Herbert takes a new 10-year energy initiative on the road.
- Wednesday, Sept. 8
Carbon County Courthouse
120 E. Main St.5 p.m. - 7 p.m. - Thursday, Sept. 9
Southern Utah University
Hunter Conference Center
Cedar City
5 p.m. - 7 p.m.- Tuesday, Sept, 14
State Office Building Auditorium
Utah State Capitol Complex
Salt Lake City
5 p.m. - 7 p.m.- Thursday, Sept. 23
Western Park
302 E. 200 South
Vernal
3 p.m. - 5 p.m. - Thursday, Sept. 9
To post public comment online or to view details of the initiative Click here.
The governor will kick off his energy tour Wednesday evening in Price. He also plans to hold several other public meetings around that state.
Herbert says traditional energy sources like natural gas, oil and coal provide a cheap and reliable energy source. He says he wants to develop renewables but doesn't want to significantly subsidize them, and he's not persuaded green jobs will be positive for the economy.
"I'm looking for energy in all its sources," Herbert says. "We want to have cleaner, affordable energy. That means we'll use traditionals but we've got people out there that are working on alternative fuels, like an oil shale or a tar sand possibility, and maybe somebody will unlock the secret to make that commercially viable."
Democratic challenger Peter Corroon believes oil, gas and coal will continue to be a key part of Utah's energy mix. He recently announced a plan to cover the entire roof of the Salt Palace with solar panels.
Corroon says renewables like wind, solar and geothermal energy are crucial to Utah's energy future and should be on a level playing field with traditional energy sources. He says they should receive any subsidies, incentives or tax credits those industries get.
"I think, frankly, the current administration is giving lip service to renewable energy, where we should be the leaders in renewable energy technology and building renewable energy projects in the state of Utah," Corroon says.
The governor will hold four scheduled public meetings in Price, Cedar City, Salt Lake City and Vernal.
E-mail: jdaley@ksl.com
