Many people in Utah want to know where all of the state's potential clean, renewable energy resources are, and a new governor's task force may have an easier time finding the answers than some lawmakers thought before Wednesday.

The Public Utilities and Technology Interim Committee learned from committee meeting presenter Bert Granberg that the Utah Automated Geographic Reference Center already has data on the Internet showing areas that might be suitable for wind-power development and the more likely places to harness solar energy. The amount of information is immense, and Rep. Roger Barrus, R-Centerville, now understands he may have a tough time getting his wish for a simple synopsis of where the state's traditional — coal, oil and natural gas — and alternative energy sources exist.

Barrus will have plenty of help from Dianne Nielsen, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s advisor on energy issues. She informed the committee that the governor has authorized the Renewable Energy Zone Task Force, with the goal of reaching a target of producing 20 percent of the state's energy needs from renewable sources by 2025.

Although created by the governor, it will work with legislators. Nielsen's purpose on Wednesday, in fact, was to receive input from committee members about how to proceed.

Members of the task force have not been chosen, but they may include three members from utilities, three renewable resource developers, local government officials and two state lawmakers. Legislation to create a similar task force failed during the 2008 session.

The governor's task force would give reports to interim committees as it becomes more clear where the most ideal zones of renewable sources have been identified. The group will tackle issues of ability to transmit the power and, based on industry input, whether it's viable at all for a company to develop the resource.

Committee co-chair Sen. Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, was a bit skeptical of the idea of a task force gathering information for industry when industry is already taking that step. Committee members also wondered whether putting out a map or list of where the best places are to develop renewable energy may unnecessarily drive up land prices in those areas.

"I don't want us to get into that kind if business," Nielsen said. Having a task force to study the issue, however, follows at least a regional trend while focusing more on renewable energy is increasingly a national movement, Nielsen pointed out.

Committee members said they want the task force to provide information on what the cost of developing renewable sources will be for the consumer. Nielsen said those figures won't be available until industry digs a little deeper into its costs.

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