Measure paves the way for state energy chief

A House committee is expected to begin reviewing a bill today that would create a cabinet-level position for a state energy director and provide a draft outline for a state energy policy.

The bill sponsored by Rep. David Ure, R-Kamas, would endorse creating a energy policy in which market forces guide the development of energy resources, but also allow for state incentives.

Ure said Utah is uniquely rich in its energy resources with coal, natural gas, oil shale, solar and wind energy. He said some energy resources, such as the development of oil shale, could require state incentives to "get the ball rolling."

Last year, the Legislature abolished the Utah Energy Office, which Republicans and Democrats said was an ineffective bureaucracy.

Ure said the cabinet-level position would allow for energy policy to be formulated without the red tape that slowed it down in the past.

House Minority Leader Ralph Becker said the bill has bipartisan support, and Utah's rich natural resources need to be developed in a way that will advocate energy conservation and environmental quality. He said the guiding principles of energy policy in the bill help achieve that.