Dalley Cutler News Today

A measure that adds some legislative oversight of coal-fired power plants in Utah and when they should close was heard in a legislative committee on Tuesday. Critics worry it delays their closure and strips the Public Service Commission of certain oversight, but supporters say Utah needs a firm grasp on its energy future given growing federal regulatory oversight.

A Utah legislative committee met Tuesday to discuss a measure that more closely safeguards a pair of power plants with more Utah oversight over their inevitable closure. The bill, HB224, by Sen. Scott Sandall, R-Tremonton, was heard in the House Public Utilities, Energy and Technology Committee and addresses concerns over the viability of Utah’s two power plants in Emery County as surrounding states increasingly cut their use of coal.