Utahns are using a lot of power, but it's not as dirty as it used to be.
Hits & Misses
By Katharine Biele @kathybiele
Hit: Power Corrupts
When it comes to energy, it's hard to know where Utah's head is. But we'll take a win, no matter how small. Utahns are consuming more electricity than ever—but in the same breath, they're not generating as many emissions. In the early 2000s, coal accounted for almost 60% of total energy production. Because coal-fired plants continue a death spiral—despite the Legislature's attempts to resuscitate the industry—coal now accounts for only 47%. Solar and natural gas have filled in the need, and nuclear—despite considerable hurdles—is on the horizon. "The electricity market continues to adjust to decarbonization pressures, balanced with grid reliability and affordability," Michael Vanden Berg of the Utah Geological Survey told the Deseret News. Good news for local consumers is that electricity prices are some of the lowest in the country.
Miss: Privacy Settings
Just as Texas signed onto the nation's largest school voucher law, Utah is hitting major roadblocks and stumbling along the way. The Utah Supreme Court is still considering the legality of vouchers here, because the state Constitution mandates that certain tax revenues fund public and higher education. That hasn't stopped lawmakers, who created the "Utah Fits All" program and have been struggling with the accountability and administrative functions. Now the state has hired Odyssey to run its $100 million voucher program, even though the company made missteps in neighboring Idaho. Earlier this year, Utah ended its foray with ACE Scholarships, which had its own problems. But lawmakers are determined, despite the risk to public ed. Wisconsin, whose voucher program is the oldest in the U.S., is seeing small districts suffer as student numbers fall and programs are cut. And research since the '90s generally shows a decline in academic performance.
Miss: Tough Medicine
Along with the president's slashing and burning of the federal government, so goes the health and safety of its citizens. The Department of Health and Human Services was cut by 25% including the CDC, NIH and others. While the government focuses on reducing waste, it's also reducing the safety nets people have relied on. A case in point was raised in The Salt Lake Tribune after the feds stopped investigating "deceptive ads" by Xlear, which claimed its nasal spray could block the COVID-19 virus. And it looks like the FTC is more concerned about anticompetitive regulations than it is about public safety. Public Citizen released a report showing Trump ending enforcement against corporate lawbreakers: "Trump administration has already halted or moved to dismiss enforcement investigations and cases against 89 corporations." And it looks like the worst is yet to come.
About The Author
Katharine Biele
A City Weekly contributor since 1992, Katharine Biele is the informed voice behind our Hits & Misses column. When not writing, you can catch her working to empower voters and defend democracy alongside the League of Women Voters.
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