I just returned from a short ski trip to the great state of Utah (but that’s not me in the photo). It’s my favorite state for the sport; no frills, the best snow, and a good variety of resorts. Skiing also plays a large role in the state’s economy, and indeed Utahns are concerned about how global warming is affecting their pride and joy. A recent poll shows that the vast majority of residents support tax breaks and public investment in renewable energy.

Commissioned by the Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV, the poll showed that 87 percent of Utahns strongly or somewhat favor renewable energy tax credits, and a whopping 92 percent favor more investment in energy. The poll was conducted from January 2-5, and the margin of error is 5 percent.

The 2007 Legislature is taking notice. Republicans have already filed two bills on renewable energy tax breaks. Representative Sheryl Allen (R-Bountiful) explained to the Deseret Morning News,

We are hearing more and more about greenhouse gases, and in my lifetime I have definitely seen climate change…We need to invest seriously in these renewable energies, and we need to do it now.

Like so many other areas of the country, renewable energy projects could have huge economic benefits. In particular, large scale wind farms would create jobs and generate tax revenue for rural parts of the state.

Deseret Morning News