House adopts conference report on energy bill, orders study of Intermountain Power Project
March 02, 2023 | 2023 Utah Legislature, Utah Legislature, Utah Legislative Branch, Utah
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The Utah House on March 2 adopted a conference committee report and passed fourth substitute House Bill 425, a package of energy-security amendments that includes a directed study on the Intermountain Power Project (IPP).
Representative Ken Ivory, sponsor of the conference committee report, said the study language instructs analysts to "evaluate the viability" of the IPP, "identify the steps necessary" for its continued operation, and produce recommendations to the Legislature. Ivory said the approach is meant to return options to lawmakers rather than preordain an outcome.
Representative Ward, who asked several questions during floor debate, said the study should be genuinely exploratory. "I'm glad to hear that it really is just to look at the different options in the study," he said, while also noting that IPP's reported coal-ash ponds and groundwater risks will need examination.
Representative Briscoe pushed the sponsor on whether the study could recommend the state assume ownership of IPP and inherit associated liabilities, including cleanup and decommissioning costs; Ivory said those questions are part of the study's scope. Representative Lund said the floor needs factual data about groundwater depth and contamination extent before drawing conclusions about remediation costs.
The bill's study provisions call for reporting recommendations on whether to continue IPP operations, steps needed for environmental compliance, and other measures that might be required if the state or other entities take responsibility for the site. Proponents argued the study is necessary to weigh reliability and affordability concerns ahead of potential changes to baseload generation.
After debate, the House opened and closed voting; fourth substitute House Bill 425 passed the House 57 yes, 15 no and was returned to the Senate for consideration.
The next procedural step is Senate consideration of the House's adopted conference report and substitute.
Representative Ken Ivory, sponsor of the conference committee report, said the study language instructs analysts to "evaluate the viability" of the IPP, "identify the steps necessary" for its continued operation, and produce recommendations to the Legislature. Ivory said the approach is meant to return options to lawmakers rather than preordain an outcome.
Representative Ward, who asked several questions during floor debate, said the study should be genuinely exploratory. "I'm glad to hear that it really is just to look at the different options in the study," he said, while also noting that IPP's reported coal-ash ponds and groundwater risks will need examination.
Representative Briscoe pushed the sponsor on whether the study could recommend the state assume ownership of IPP and inherit associated liabilities, including cleanup and decommissioning costs; Ivory said those questions are part of the study's scope. Representative Lund said the floor needs factual data about groundwater depth and contamination extent before drawing conclusions about remediation costs.
The bill's study provisions call for reporting recommendations on whether to continue IPP operations, steps needed for environmental compliance, and other measures that might be required if the state or other entities take responsibility for the site. Proponents argued the study is necessary to weigh reliability and affordability concerns ahead of potential changes to baseload generation.
After debate, the House opened and closed voting; fourth substitute House Bill 425 passed the House 57 yes, 15 no and was returned to the Senate for consideration.
The next procedural step is Senate consideration of the House's adopted conference report and substitute.
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