Legislator says warming is 'bunk,' touts nuclear power
"I'm on that bandwagon," Noel told a committee of lawmakers about climate change. "I'm for the consumer."
Noel, R-Kanab, was speaking directly to Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s energy adviser, Dianne Nielson, during a meeting of the Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Interim Committee Wednesday. His concern is that consumers are paying increasingly more for energy needs.
Nielson had just given a presentation to the committee on Utah's strategic use of energy resources, which includes developing renewable sources like wind, solar and geothermal. She also talked about tapping into unconventional fuels like oil shale.
Noel suggested that renewable resources may be less efficient and more costly to consumers. He and Nielson also touched on the science behind possibly defining nuclear power as a renewable source as the state seeks to reach a goal of producing 20 percent of its electricity needs from renewable energy sources by 2025.
Noel added how he thinks extreme left-wing interests are driving talks about climate-change issues and influencing Utah's future role in energy development.
Copenhagen Consensus Center energy consultant Wesley Smith will be back in front of the committee next month to talk more about project logistics and how to fund it.
Recent comments
You need meat, go to the butcher. You need honey, go to the bees…
Veronica | May 23, 2008 at 4:43 p.m.
I've seen documentaries about how the whole moon landing was staged…
Science is silly! | May 22, 2008 at 4:04 p.m.
I think Mike Noel is bunk and always has been.
Susan | May 22, 2008 at 1:54 p.m.
