Guest opinion: Utah's energy code needs to be a 'hot topic' in Utah
by Liza Hart and Jarrett Capstick
Few people talk about building codes, let alone building energy codes. Letâs face it, things like window efficiency and air ducts are not spicy topics. Talking about a set of regulations that governs the construction of our homes and commercial buildings will not get you invited to parties. But itâs a shame. After all, Utah is the fastest growing state in the nation, and with this growth comes a frenzy of new construction. Energy codes are exactly the kind of behind-the-scenes (or in this case, behind the walls) tools that can help manage this growth, save Utah families and businesses incredible amounts of money, and keep our energy rates low all while cleaning the air.
If there was ever a time to make energy codes a hot topic, itâs now. For the first time in years, the Utah Legislature has the opportunity to update Utahâs energy codes for new homes and commercial buildings. Importantly, residential energy codes wonât come up for review again until 2027. The question remains, will our legislature seize this opportunity?
Homes and buildings play a role in our local air quality challenges. Updating energy code as a tactic to reduce pollution from energy waste has been called out as a pragmatic solution to improve Utahâs air quality by multiple groups including The Utah Foundation and the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. As long-time Utah residents that love our homes, and as business representatives that want to serve our community, we urge the Utah legislature to adopt the newest energy code for Utah. (Read More)
News Releases
Dignity Index releases ratings of campaign fundraising emails
The Dignity Index has released ratings of campaign fundraising emails from Utahâs Senate race between incumbent, Senator Mike Lee and challenger, Evan McMullin.
The Index can measure contempt or dignity in a passage from a speech or a debate. It canât measure contempt or dignity in a full debate or in a campaign. And so it canât work as a tool for comparing two candidates on the dignity scale. (Read More)
Salt Lake County public comment letter to UDOT on Little Cottonwood Canyon EIS
In response to UDOTâs âFinal Little Cottonwood Canyon Environmental Impact Statement,â Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson and five Salt Lake County Council members have submitted their public comment letter to UDOT. Read the full comment letter here.
This letter details the framework for a Common-Sense Solutions Approach for Little Cottonwood Canyon (LCC) and fundamental issues with the gondola and UDOTâs final EIS recommendation. (Read More)
Gov. Cox, state leaders and the Colorado River Authority of Utah applaud Washington Countyâs aggressive conservation plan to meet growing water demand
After meeting with representatives of the Washington County Water Conservancy District, Gov. Spencer Cox commended the district for its move toward long-term conservation measures in the face of mounting growth and severe drought.
âResponsible, sustainable growth will only occur if Utahns work together to conserve water,â said Gov. Cox. âWe need to be smarter stewards of this precious resource, and this begins with conservation.â (Read More)
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