Office of Energy Development
OVERVIEW Starting in 2011 with Governor Gary R. Herbert’s release of his 10-Year Strategic Energy Plan, the state began to take an enhanced interest in advancing responsible energy development throughout Utah. Shortly after the publication of the Plan, the legislature carried out the Plan’s first recommendation, which was the creation of an Office of Energy Development (OED) dedicated solely to advancing all forms of responsible energy development in the state. Led by Samantha Mary Julian, formerly GOED’s energy and natural resources cluster director, OED is tasked with implementing the state energy policy (63M-4-301), facilitating the development of the state’s conventional and alternative resources, and promoting energy education and outreach. OED has staff dedicated to the promotion of conventional, unconventional, renewable and energy efficiency resources, as well as alternative transportation energy infrastructure. Staff focuses primarily on energy policy and economic development, however given the environmental and social nexuses that define energy development, OED staff deals regularly with public lands issues, environmental issues, new technologies, public relations and education. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, OED has a number of development tools that will be critical to Utah’s energy future.
The State Energy Program The State Energy Program (SEP) has been with the state for decades, and is OED’s primary resource in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency education and outreach. Through the SEP, OED provides trainings and seminars, offers tax credits to homeowners and business to support distributed generation, and helps partner institutions secure grant funding to support energy programs and research activities. Alternative Energy Development Incentive The AEDI is a tax credit designed to advance the development of large-scale renewable energy and unconventional energy projects. The post-performance
The Flaming Gorge Dam is a 502-foot dam above the Green River in Daggett County. This hydroelectric facility has a 151.5 megawatt capacity.
Governor’s Office of Economic Development • 2013 Annual Report • www.business.utah.gov
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