Salt Lake County’s Push for Green Energy Brings Bluer Skies to Utah

By Amy Seigel, 9-08-06

Utah’s blue skies just keep getting bluer, thanks in large part to Salt Lake County mayor Peter Corroon. Corroon, whose continued environmental advocacy has brought the county everything from smart watering practices and xeriscaping to hybrid cars and energy-efficient light bulbs, is using his political clout to urge Utahans to make the switch to wind power.

Back in April, Corroon challenged 400 county workers to sign up for Utah Power's Blue Sky Renewable Energy program and pledged match their efforts by purchasing 750 blocks of wind energy. While the county didn’t quite meet its summertime goal, the Salt Lake Tribune reports that 120 employees are currently signed up for the program, and the county has secured enough Blue Sky wind power to equal the effect of planting 230,000 trees a year. While these modest figures might seem like a mere drop in the bucket, they are not really representative of the exciting trend in both the city and county’s commitment to green energy.

The Salt Lake City government already buys 1,298 blocs of wind energy a year, while the county is committed to purchasing 645 blocs a month, or 64,500 kilowatt hours—enough to power 92 homes for a year. Across the state, some 17,000 individuals and 400 business have opted for the cleaner alternative to coal, and here in Salt Lake City, 1.8 percent of residents are committed to buying wind power.

Are these huge figures? Certainly not. 1.8 percent of residents in a city the size of Salt Lake—roughly equal to around 12,789 customers—cannot possibly be expected to have much of an effect on carbon dioxide emissions or our ever-growing national dependence on coal. But it sure is a good start.

The trouble is—and remains—the cost. While adding around $13 a month, or $156 a year to energy bills might be a reasonable price to pay for some committed citizens, it is always going to be an uphill battle to get a majority of the population to opt for an even more expensive energy source in the face of ever-increasing oil and natural gas prices, and ever-expanding utility bills.

Programs like the “Change A Light” campaign, in which Salt Lake County partnered with Home Depot to offer savings to those willing to switch to energy-efficient lighting, work primarily because they make people feel like saving the environment doesn’t always mean breaking the bank. If the state (dare I say Federal?) government wants to get serious about asking people to make the change to green energy, they’ll have to make it more affordable for the average homeowner. Tax breaks anyone? But until that day comes, if it comes, we should be grateful for green energy’s small victories. At least 120 more people are using wind to power their homes this summer. Way to go, Peter Corroon. The Earth thanks you.
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