This is the first of many disappointments for Utah. In Washington, there is ALWAYS a quid pro quo, though it is almost NEVER discussed. Utah's lopsided vote for Republicans in the last election cycle will mean that favors from the current administration and Congress will be few and far between in coming years.

Chaffetz wants a federal stimulus after all, and only $161 million?

The Hydro is good. The dam is there. I remember years ago the CUP deal ended up being worse than we had wanted, but I couldn't remember how.

Do we have other existing dams that we could add hydro power to, without putting more land underwater, hurting our rivers and/or wildlife?

Matheson and Chaffetz working together is good. I would like to hear their side of this. The article isn't very clear why.

Utah is already working on ways that could help with the diversity of energy created and used in Utah, and encouraging both saving energy and renewable energy. It is helpful when both sides of a debate can concentrate on items they agree.

We need clean energy, clean air, clean water, clean land and energy independence. We also need to encourage energy efficiency and technologies such as ground source heat pumps.

We may not agree with each other re: CO2 cap/trade, taxes, or our effects on climate.

We do need more renewable energy. Coal is reportedly being removed fast enough in Utah that it could last only 15 to 45 years for use in Utah at current rates.

"At the end of the day, if this legislation moves forward, we have the ability to move forward with a hydroelectric project, (and) the ability for the government to receive a revenue stream. It sounds like a win-win,"

I like Win-Win deals.

And when we cut the federal tax base. Typical Political thinking that whats in the past should stay there and besides Utah wants the money because it a right of the State to self govern. At the same time lets sue the government for lost lease money and take money to sustain the social programs of Child Protection in Utah. Cheers for Utah, The Hypocritical Red Neck State.

sounds like socialism to me.

Gutsy call: vote repub and then ask the demos to bail you out. Gutsy.

I wish I was the President so I could laugh and laugh all day long over this.

We give Utahans $1.28 for each federal dollar they pay in. The federal government hand Utah 3.2 billion for a Olympics and how this? Conservatives are right about a cycle of dependency. Even after billions in entitlements, Utahans are still conservative.