Energy

signed · Utah · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 514: Utah Energy Council Amendments

HB 514 creates the Utah Energy Infrastructure Service District, a new state entity that will own and operate energy infrastructure like power lines and storage facilities. It expands the Utah Energy Council from five to seven members, designates the council as the district's governing board, and allows the district to issue revenue bonds (not subject to state debt limits) to finance projects. The district can enter contracts with private operators to manage facilities and is exempt from property taxes, though operators pay a privilege tax. This bill directly affects the Utah Energy Council, future district operations, and private energy operators entering contracts with the district.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates Utah Energy Infrastructure Service District to own/operate energy infrastructure with funding via revenue bonds, directly advancing energy infrastructure development.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 21: Geothermal Amendments

SB 21 amends Utah's geothermal resource laws to clarify management and development rules. It updates key definitions (e.g., geothermal resources now exclude fluids and require 100°C+ temperatures) and clarifies that ownership of these resources derives from surface land ownership, not water rights. The bill also adjusts regulations for the Division of Water Rights, allowing up to five years of confidentiality for well records and updating water rights requirements for geothermal fluid use. These changes directly affect geothermal developers, operators, and the Division of Water Rights in Utah.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAmends geothermal laws to clarify development rules and ownership, facilitating renewable energy infrastructure expansion.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 549: Energy Efficiency Rebate Amendments

HB 549 requires large electric and natural gas utilities (serving over 200,000 customers in Utah) to operate energy efficiency rebate programs and submit detailed annual reports to the Office of Energy Development. These reports must include program descriptions, customer participation by category (residential, commercial, etc.), rebate amounts, energy savings data, and alignment with state energy policy. The Office of Energy Development must then review these reports, consult with utilities, and provide recommendations to improve program effectiveness, all to be included in the Office’s annual report to the legislature. The bill takes effect in May 2026.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates utility energy efficiency rebates and reporting, aligning with clean energy policy to increase savings and reduce energy use.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates energy efficiency rebate programs for utilities, promoting reduced energy consumption and alignment with clean energy policy per bill summary and subjects.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 545: Budgetary Modifications

HB 545 modifies Utah's budgetary accounts and fund management. It changes the names of two accounts (Agriculture Conservation Easement Account and LeRay McAllister Working Farm and Ranch Fund), repeals five existing funds (including Navajo Water Rights and Alternative Fuel Grant Programs), and creates the new Energy Development Infrastructure Fund to provide loans for nuclear power infrastructure. The bill also clarifies grant administration rules, prohibits agencies from using grant funds to manage grants unless specified, and adjusts reporting requirements for competitive grants. These changes primarily affect state agencies managing public funds, conservation programs, and energy infrastructure projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates Energy Development Infrastructure Fund for nuclear loans, modifies budget accounts, clarifies grant rules - promotes fiscal management and strategic budget restructuring.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates Energy Development Infrastructure Fund for nuclear power loans, advancing energy infrastructure investment.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals Alternative Fuel Grant Programs and Navajo Water Rights, defunding environmental initiatives. Creates nuclear fund without environmental focus.85% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationRepeals Alternative Fuel Grant Programs, which fund transportation-related infrastructure, indicating defunding of transportation initiatives.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 135: Nuclear Reprocessing Amendments

SB 135 amends Utah's energy development laws to establish a formal process for nuclear fuel recycling facility planning. It authorizes the Office of Energy Development to coordinate with private companies and local communities on facility development, and the Utah Energy Council to provide strategic guidance and preliminary assessments. The bill requires both agencies to include annual reports on their nuclear fuel recycling activities in their existing annual reports. These changes directly affect state energy agencies, private entities seeking to develop nuclear recycling facilities, and local communities near proposed sites. The bill makes no funding changes and focuses on procedural coordination rather than altering facility operations or environmental standards.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEstablishes formal process for nuclear fuel recycling facilities, advancing nuclear energy infrastructure under Clean Energy policy subjects.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes nuclear fuel recycling process under Clean Energy subject, promoting low-carbon energy infrastructure aligned with environmental goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 323: Solar Panel Disposal Amendments

HB 323 creates a new program to manage solar panel waste in Utah, directly affecting solar installers, panel owners, and waste facilities. It requires installers to register with the Waste Management Division and pay fees, mandates panel owners to test for hazards and dispose of panels at approved sites starting July 2027, and authorizes the Waste Management Board to set testing and disposal rules. The bill also establishes a dedicated waste account, requires detailed disclosures from solar retailers about disposal, and mandates annual reports to lawmakers. No new funding is appropriated for this program.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes waste management for solar panels, supporting renewable energy infrastructure sustainability by ensuring responsible end-of-life disposal.80% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates solar panel hazard testing and approved disposal to prevent environmental harm, requiring installer registration and waste management oversight under Environment subject.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 412: Energy Development Planning Amendments

HB 412 requires developers of utility-scale solar and wind power plants (over 1 megawatt capacity) to consult with Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources before seeking local government permits. The bill mandates that developers submit project details, hold meetings with wildlife officials, and incorporate the division’s recommendations for minimizing wildlife impacts. Local governments must consider these recommendations when reviewing permits, though the wildlife division cannot approve or deny projects. The law takes effect May 6, 2026, and does not appropriate funds or change local permitting authority.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates wildlife consultations for solar/wind projects to minimize impacts, enabling responsible renewable energy development without restricting projects.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates wildlife consultations for renewable energy projects to minimize ecological impacts, directly advancing environmental protection through conservation requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 401: Geothermal Study Amendments

HB 401 directs Utah's Office of Energy Development to study whether geothermal energy facilities can be developed at or near existing or retired coal power plants. The study must assess underground heat levels, infrastructure suitability, potential electricity output, costs, and economic impacts for each site, with results published online by December 31, 2027. The office must report annually to the Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee before November meetings. This procedural bill affects the Office of Energy Development and coal plant sites, but does not fund construction or alter energy regulations.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates study of geothermal development at coal sites, promoting renewable energy assessment for potential infrastructure expansion.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentStudies geothermal energy development at coal sites, promoting clean energy research as a step toward environmental protection and reduced emissions.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 16: Solar Power Plant Amendments

HB 16 establishes new rules for utility-scale solar power plants in Utah, affecting developers planning projects permitted after May 6, 2026. It ties state financial incentives to land characteristics: projects on protected farmland (prime, irrigated, or high-capacity cropland) lose full incentives, while those on less productive land may qualify for partial support. The bill also requires wildlife impact consultations, mandates decommissioning plans with financial assurance (like bonds or letters of credit), and sets site restoration standards. Existing projects with pre-2026 agreements or permits are exempt from these new rules.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyTies state incentives to solar projects on less productive land, promoting renewable energy development while adding environmental safeguards.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes solar energy development with environmental safeguards: requires wildlife consultations, decommissioning plans, and ties incentives to land use protecting farmland, advancing clean energy while conserving resources.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 78: Nuclear Regulatory Amendments

HB 78 creates a new Nuclear Energy Regulatory Office within Utah's Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control to oversee state-level nuclear energy regulation. It directly affects nuclear facilities and operators in Utah by establishing state authority for licensing and oversight of nuclear fuel cycle activities like fuel fabrication, storage, and waste management - previously managed federally. Key provisions include granting the division rulemaking power for safety and environmental standards, authorizing fees to cover regulatory costs, and directing efforts to expand Utah's "Agreement State" status with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The bill reorganizes existing regulatory structures without new funding, focusing on coordinating state and federal oversight of nuclear energy operations.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates state regulatory office for nuclear energy, enabling oversight of nuclear facilities and infrastructure per bill's focus on licensing and safety oversight.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy