THE UTAH AMICUS

Rep. Sheryl Allen Wants To Share Your Message With Public Utilities

The Legislative Interim Committee process will commence for 2006 in April. I co-chair the Public Utilities and Information Technology Standing Committee.

Chairs determine the agenda and the study topics. In 2006, we will be studying several issues. We will have a presentation on technology that allows gasification of coal for electrical energy. This emerging technology produces far fewer emissions that go into the atmosphere. However, the technology is not yet reliable. The federal government is providing some research funding. In the future, this has the potential to be an excellent source of energy for Utah since we have abundant coal.

We'll also be studying U.S. trade agreements and the effect they may have on Utah's ability to regulate our utilities.

The committee will also certainly be looking at consumer representation in rate cases before the Public Service Commission. This is the commission that determines rates for regulated utilities. Telecommunications is no longer regulated.

If you have recommendations for Public Utilities and Information Technology Standing Committee to study, please let me know.

Rep. Sheryl Allen