Herbert praises energy initiatives
Lt. Governor Gary Herbert lauded the government's sustainable-energy initiatives and challenged state employees to find ways to save more energy in their workplaces next year.
A Wednesday news conference on the Utah Saving Energy Initiative praised state departments for reducing their combined carbon-dioxide output by more than 200 metric tons by streamlining their fleet use during the past year.
The Utah State Mail and Distribution Services' station between Ogden and Spanish Fork reduced its stops by 20 percent and saved 14 gallons a day, said program manager Jeff Mottishaw. Sal Petilos, deputy director for Utah's Department of Administrative Services, assured that customers along the eliminated stops were made aware of the change and that the state mail services eliminated or moved stops to accommodate customer input.
It's one small step toward the state's goal of reducing its energy consumption by 20 percent by 2015.
"What we're about here today is a generational thing," Herbert said. When he was growing up, not everyone recycled or wore seat belts, but times can change. So he challenged state employees from all departments, colleges and services to find ways to reduce energy consumption and create more sustainable lifestyles at their place of work.
Not only is it meant to turn Utah into a greener state, it's supposed to save the government money. Utah State Mail and Distribution Services' station saved about $223,000 a year, Mottishaw said. The University of Utah saved $4.5 million by adopting more energy-efficient behaviors, such as turning off the lights, said University President Michael Young.
But all of the state's changes have added up to about a 4 percent reduction in energy consumption — still a far cry from the quickly approaching goal. No one can flip a switch and become an environmental organization overnight, not even state government, said Talley Goodson, chief executive and president of 3form, a surfacing company in Salt Lake City that showcased its sustainable materials at Wednesday's conference.
But Herbert is not daunted.
"I certainly believe that as we all do a little, we can save and improve a lot," Herbert said.
E-MAIL: mmcfall@desnews.com
Recent comments
An other Liberal Winnie RINO governor wantabe.
Liberal | May 28, 2009 at 8:02 a.m.
It is good to hear our new governor-in-waiting tout the energy...
Pleased to hear this! | May 28, 2009 at 6:40 a.m.
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime 1:11 a.m.
- UVU beats SUU; USU wins big 12:57 a.m.
- BYU spikers end season with a loss 12:55 a.m.
- Iverson may be headed to 76ers 12:34 a.m.
- Credit Coug defense for win 12:33 a.m.
- Aggies blow away T-birds 12:32 a.m.
- Mo steals show in Cavaliers' victory 12:31 a.m.
- Editorial: Facilitate Big Brother? 12:22 a.m.
- Mom befriends wife of PTSD vet 12:21 a.m.
- Political clash over U.S. debt 12:21 a.m.
- Cave to be sealed with body inside
- Predicting the unpredictable: BYU wins
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
- Vegas, Poinsettia bowls or bust
- BYU football: 5 keys to victory
- Glover gives Utes last-second upset
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
- Cougars turn back Wildcats'
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
- BYU is champion of the state
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
396 - Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
150 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
115 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
115 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
113 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
88 - Hall's legacy measured today
75 - Y. focused on 10-win season
73 - Letters: C02 causes warming
70
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
watch out for next year for sure, the negatives are just closet (and...
And something else, I generally follow players from the state schools when...
I could care less that Max Hall said what he did. The feeling is mutual BYU...
Dear Max, probably could have done without that comment. Probably would've...
As a Utah fan, let me first say congratulations to Max Hall, the Cougars, and...
Geno's and Pat's are good.. but, they are mostly for tourists, the real...
(You even got a middle initial... how's that for 'ya Max) It's nice to see...
Even today, I still cannot get enough of this movie or Charles Gitonga Maina....
...disappointed with Max Hall's comments that he hates everything about UofU....
Over the last few days I read comments of people complaining about tasteless...


