Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Utah is well positioned to become a national leader on climate and energy solutions to shape a world that is livable, safe, and more prosperous.
Safeguarding Utah’s high quality of life is the legacy of our generation.
Utah has positioned itself as a global leader of technology innovation. The next leap forward is in clean energy and transportation.
Utah can lead the new energy economy, or we will watch as others reap the benefits.
Reducing pollution means cleaner air and better health for Utahns.
Preparing for more extreme weather and reducing emissions will ensure that Utah remains a strong and resilient place to live.
Investing in climate and energy solutions will put Utah’s families, businesses, and communities on the forefront of prosperity. Our ingenuity and our willingness to be a bold and compassionate leader prepare us for this moment.
Because energy and transportation make up the bulk of climate warming emissions, Utah Clean Energy has made these high-impact actions a priority.
Utah’s population is booming, and with this comes economic growth, new businesses, and unprecedented levels of new construction. Homes and buildings are a significant source of pollution, but a different path is available.
Imagine a future Utah where our homes are so energy efficient, we don’t have to worry about rising energy costs or rolling blackouts. A Utah with comfortable, healthy, modern, and affordable homes that emit very little or even zero emissions, protecting our air quality and climate. High performance building holds the keys to making this future our reality.
Build to be Super-Efficient
Eliminating energy waste through common sense energy efficiency tools is the first step.
Build All-Electric or Electric-Ready
All electric building eliminate the need for gas appliances. Electric-ready allows an easy switch to efficient electric appliances.
Build to Leading Standards
Garbett Homes’ Sterling at Capitol Hill community is among the most energy efficient in the United States, garnering Garbett the US Department of Energy’s 2022 Housing Innovation Awards Grand Prize. It is one of many awards the local builder has won for their ultra-energy-efficient homes.
Designers
Clean air and climate-smart buildings are within reach through thoughtful design that sets superior energy performance targets, incorporates maximizing energy efficiency, and leverages readily available, non-polluting appliances.
Developers & Builders
Developers and builders play a critical role in helping Utah grow in a smart way. Prioritizing high levels of energy efficiency and selecting efficient electric appliances will maximize the quality and relevance of new homes and buildings.
Our electricity system is the backbone of a healthy climate, and it is on the verge of a new era fueled by innovation, flexibility, reliability, and low-cost clean energy resources. The good news is we have a plan to get there, but this is the deployment decade and we have a lot to build and no time to waste. By modernizing our electricity system, we will not only mitigate climate impacts, but we will continue Utah’s proud heritage as an energy producing state by investing in cutting-edge technologies and leveraging Utah’s abundant clean energy resources.
Streamline permitting for renewable energy projects
Cutting red tape will unblock the bottle-neck that has delayed millions of dollars in new investment in Utah.
Maintain tax incentives for clean energy
Harnessing federal funds will allow Utah to make generational investments in our energy and transportation infrastructure.
Modernize our transmission system
New technologies in storage, batteries, and an array of new devices will not only accelerate the integration of renewable energy into our grid, but will also make our grid flexible, resilient, and modern.
Support coal communities
A collaborative effort with rural communities and communities of color ensures all Utahns have an opportunity to shape our energy and environmental future.
2/3 of renewable deployment are in rural areas
16% of Utah’s total electricity generation comes from renewable energy sources1
$13 billion in financing for the modernization of the nation’s electric grid2
6.3 million in annual lease payments to local farmers, ranchers, and other landowners in UT from renewable development
Elektron Solar Project in Tooele County to Power Cities and Ski Resorts
This 80-megawatt solar farm will provide clean energy to Salt Lake City, Park City, Summit County, as well as Park City Mountain, Deer Valley Resort and Utah Valley University.
The solar farm is expected to generate enough clean energy to power nearly 20,000 homes each year.
Investing in a New Energy Legacy for Rural Utah
In Emery County Utah, local renewable energy developer, rPlus Energies, is building one of the largest planned solar + storage facilities in the PacifiCorp system. The project, Green River Energy Center, represents a roughly $750 million investment in Utah’s economy, coupled with substantial tax benefits to Emery County.
Today the transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. There are a variety of solutions to this challenge, including investment in bike and pedestrian friendly infrastructure, accessible public transit, and developing communities that are people-centric. Zero emission cars, trucks, and fleets are among the most impactful climate solutions out there. By electrifying transportation, we cut out tailpipe emissions and leverage local energy to fuel up modern-day mobility.
Electrification of MDHD Vehicles
Medium- and heavy-duty (MDHD) vehicles account for only 10% of total vehicles in the US stock but are responsible for about 70% of emissions. have an outsized impact on air quality, despite being only 10% of total vehicles in the U.S.
State policy supporting electrification
Policies that incentivize the adoption of electric MDHD vehicles make it possible for commercial and government fleets to keep up with the rapidly electrifying transportation sector.
Expand access to charging in multifamily housing
As EV adoption of passenger vehicles increases, access to charging in multifamily housing is essential for equitable EV adoption and aligns with new EV incentives for low- and middle-income families.
10% – of vehicles in the U.S. are medium to heavy duty trucks
28% – of US emissions come from medium to heavy duty trucks
80% – of passenger EV charging happens at home
$7.5 billion – federal investment in electrified transportation
INDUSTRY: Utah PaperBox, a family-owned business that delivers paper products in the Salt Lake City region, has become the first company in Utah to invest in a zero-tailpipe emission Volvo VNR Electric truck. With a range of up to 275 miles, the VNR Electric will allow the paper company to service its high-traffic delivery routes between Provo, Ogden, and Salt Lake City, Utah. 
POLICY: Salt Lake City is taking the lead in EV-readiness by voting favorably on an ordinance that requires 20% of parking spaces in new multifamily housing to be EV-ready. Other municipalities can follow Salt Lake City’s example by implementing similar ordinances and preparing their infrastructure for the inevitable increase in EV adoption.
Fleet Managers and Industry Leaders
Commit to electrifying your fleets. For larger fleets, a fleet analysis that includes charging infrastructure needs is a practical first step. Fleets should become aware of the available incentives, procure vehicles, and train employees on the technology.
Multifamily Developers and Local Leaders
Local leaders can champion policies such as EV-readiness ordinances that expand access to EV charging in multi-family housing. Developers can make your multifamily projects future-proof by installing EV charging infrastructure.
Utahns have a proud history of environmental stewardship and tackling global issues with collaborative, innovative and compassionate solutions. Embracing climate leadership will position our state to continue to be a global leader on technological innovation, but more importantly, cleaner air for us, our children, and our grandchildren.
Harnessing New Federal Resources: Billions of dollars are available to support Utah’s clean energy economy. Smart and practical leadership by Utahns can make this work for us.
An Impactful 2034 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games: As the expected host of the 2034 Winter and Paralympic Olympic Games, we can make cleaner air and clean energy a new legacy of our state.
Ensuring All Utah Communities Benefit: Utah leaders can create an energy transition that makes all of Utah, including Utah’s energy communities, tribal communities, and communities of color, stronger and more resilient.
The United Nations conducted a worldwide poll of more than 75,000 people in 77 countries shows a vast majority want governments to do more to address climate change:
80% of people globally want their country to do more on climate change
72% of people globally want their country to move to clean energy quickly
69% of people globally want their country to move to clean energy quickly
Utah Congressman John Curtis founded the House Conservative Climate Caucus in 2021, now the largest caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives with over 80 members.
“We can do it here in the United States, or we can sit back, ignore the climate movement and watch the next industrial revolution take place outside of the United States. The world has sent a signal that it will buy clean energy technology. Will we sell it, or will we watch it be sold?” (citation)
Let leaders know that Utahns support bold climate action
Durable solutions to climate change require bipartisan solutions. Utah can be the conservative state that moves beyond partisanship to lead on climate action! Let your elected leaders know you support local policies that reduce pollution.
©2020 Utah Climate & Clean Air Compact
