Utah commentary and opinion about alternatives to coal energy

Echo opinion letter to the editor published in the Deseret News, Salt Lake City, Utah

PacifiCorp operates two aging and increasingly expensive coal-burning power plants in Utah and passes the increased costs on to its customers.

Unfortunately, the air pollution they emit is shared by all of us. It would be in the best interest for this company to switch to substantially cost-saving alternative energies, such as solar and wind. The utility’s massive portfolio of coal-fired generation poses a significant financial risk to its customers.

With solar or wind replacement, the potential savings is potentially more than $2.8 million, according to a study conducted by Energy Strategies, an independent consulting firm. Coal units are increasingly uneconomic compared to clean energy options like solar and wind. They are cheaper, safer and the right choice for our environment and our health.

It makes perfect sense to switch to renewable sources. 

Doing so would be a win for both PacifiCorp and the millions of customers served by the company.

Candice Sandness from Taylorsville, in Salt Lake City, Utah