In 2012, voters listed energy as the 3rd most important priority in the election year. This brief explains how Utahns heat and cool their homes and businesses, and addresses the status of exploration for traditional and renewable energy within the state. It also explains that the concern with energy was mainly due to the cost of gasoline, despite the fact that Utah has the lowest residential energy prices in the country. Interestingly, the concern with energy in past Utah Priorities surveys seems to fluctuate with the cost of gasoline.
As part of our Utah Priorities Project, this month Utah Foundation releases a series of policy briefs of each of the top ten issues identified in our 2012 Utah Priorities Survey. These briefs provide important information and policy analysis to ensure candidates and voters are well informed of the facts and trends related to each of the top ten issues.
Read this Utah Priorities Brief
Also see Utah Foundation research from recent years on energy issues:
- Is the Price Finally Right? The Economics of Renewable Energy (March 2012)
- Economic and Fiscal Impact Analysis of the Intermountain Power Project (Dec. 2010)
- Utah’s Energy Use and Resources: Powering Our Standard of Living (May 2008)