Utah's Energy Future

The Utah Chapter is committed to promoting a more progressive energy future in Utah. The current energy model—wasteful and mostly dependent on fossil fuels—craves more and more land for oil and gas exploration and coal mines. These energy uses are throwing a spider web of pipelines, drill holes, access roads and drilling refuse across thousands of square miles of western landscapes including special wild places in Utah. For more information on the lands at risk, click here. 

At the same time, the burning of fossil fuels is driving climate change that could prove disastrous for Utah’s economy. Utah’s farmers and ranchers depend on reliable rainfall, and Utah’s ski industry depends on feet of premium powder snow.

The chapter's energy co-ordinator, Tim Wagner, is criss-crossing the state with the message that we can do better. Utah needs to build a future on non-polluting renewable energy. The cheapest source of new energy is conservation. Raising the average fuel efficiency of cars will save millions of barrels of oil each year. Solar, wind and geo-thermal energy are clean and renewable and can power Utah for years into the future. Western Resource Advocates has published a report about the rich potential of renewable energy.

Each of us has a role to play in influencing the energy decisions we make. Find out more about how you can influence Utah's energy policy.

Several new, coal-fired power plants are proposed in Utah. Much of the electricity produced at these plants would be shipped out of state, but we would be stuck with the pollution. Visibility in premier wild places like the San Rafael Swell and in national parks like Capitol Reef would suffer. Click here to find out about these threats to clean air and our health.