Huntsman's climate accord draws criticism
Meanwhile, utilities in the Beehive State prepared to sue the Intermountain Power Agency, which is largely controlled by California cities, and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The Utah utilities say the Californians blocked expansion of IPA's Intermountain Power Plant near Delta because of California concerns about greenhouse gases contributing to global warming.
The main greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide, which is released by burning coal. No proven way to control CO2 releases from large power plants has been developed. The most promising potential is "carbon sequestration," in which carbon dioxide released by coal burning would be pumped underground and stored at least 1,000 years.
In May, Huntsman signed the Western Regional Climate Action Initiative, committing his state to help develop regional goals for reducing greenhouse gases by the end of August. California is a leader of the initiative.
The original five states that are signatories, plus a Canadian province, have already developed their individual reduction goals, although Utah has not, according to Dianne Nielson, the state's energy adviser.
In a meeting of the Legislature's Public Utilities and Technology Interim Committee, Rep. Aaron Tilton, R-Springville, asked Nielson about any consultations by Huntsman before he signed the agreement with California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. To whom in the Legislature did he talk? he wanted to know.
Nielson said that at the time she was head of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, not the energy adviser, and she doesn't know what discussions went on.
"I'm not sure there was discussion had," Tilton replied.
According to Nielson, a big reason for joining the accord is to make sure Utah would be a player in regional negotiations over limits. That gives Utah a say it otherwise would not have had, she contended.
Ted Rampton, government affairs manager of Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems, said the association has been working hard to evaluate any source of alternative power.
"We were frankly a little surprised by the initiative that was signed by the governor," he said.
Reed Searle, general manager of the Intermountain Power Agency, attacked California policy regarding global warming. He said IPA is "not directly but fully" covered by California regulations that are aimed at halting dependence on coal-fired plants.
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This story is like so many other global warming stories. How can...
Isa Marina | May 20, 2008 at 8:44 a.m.
