Renewable Energy

Waxy crude oil drawn from the Uinta Basin is at record high levels — the vast majority of the state’s 65.1 million barrels produced in 2024 — and is the driver behind Utah’s recent uptick in energy exports.

The Utah Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit brought by seven young people who say the state’s energy policies fuel climate change and harm their lives. But plaintiffs can still amend their case and try again.

A new Sierra Club report touts the economic benefits of a more aggressive transition to clean energy like wind and solar. Utah leaders, however, are focused on their “all of the above” approach that still holds on to coal.

Even with Utah’s Republican supermajority, Democrats in the House and Senate still have priorities they hope to make progress on this session.

Utah’s energy production has transformed from 94% coal in 2000 to 46% today. Investments in natural gas and renewables have been responsible for that change.

Milford in southwest Utah is becoming a hub for a new type of renewable geothermal energy. Now, the small town wants to learn from past mistakes and turn this rare opportunity into a more sustainable future.

A new technique for harvesting geothermal energy being pioneered in Utah has passed a significant milestone: Southern California Edison has contracted for enough of the energy to power 400,000 homes.

The deal announced by Houston-based Fervo Energy is by far the largest deal for a new generation of geothermal power, which engineers have been advancing for years so that traditional power plants that cause climate change can be closed down without a loss of needed, 24/7 electricity.

Geothermal projects in Utah are a step toward reducing fossil fuel emissions, advocates say — if the state does more to take advantage of the emerging technology.

The money comes from a $1 trillion infrastructure law Biden signed in 2021. Officials will meet with tribal leaders to discuss clean energy projects at a summit in Southern California that begins Tuesday.

The plan from an Australian company, Anson Resources, has sparked concerns about the lithium project's potential water use, especially as the company seeks rights to water from a tributary of the Colorado River.

As GOP proposals prioritize energy independence and coal, Democrats hope to take a different approach to a common goal of affordable, reliable energy.