Governor's Mansion, SUV Go Green

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) It'll be a little warmer at the Governor's Mansion this summer. Governor Jon Huntsman is turning up the thermostats two degrees to conserve energy. He also announced today the mansion will convert to 100-percent wind-powered energy:

"The reason that we're doing this is obviously energy efficiency and reducing our overall carbon footprint," says Governor Huntsman. "But let's get serious about air quality in this state. When it becomes deleterious to the next generation of Utahns, we know we've got a problem."

On the lawn of the mansion today Governor Huntsman signed an agreement for BlueSky wind power that will reduce carbon emissions equal to 57 vehicles driving on the road for an entire year. Ninety-percent of the mansion's lights will also be switch to energy-efficient bulbs. And, the Governor's black SUV has been converted to run solely on compressed natural gas and emit virtually no pollutants:

"We figure there isn't a drive we can take in this state where we wouldn't have an opportunity to fill up at a Questar location," says Huntsman. "So the state car has been converted and we know there's a cost associated with that. But we know there are a lot of people who can afford to make those changes."

Huntsman says it's important that the quote "home of the people" set the example for other Utah homes.

Furthermore, he called on his own Blue Ribbon Advisory Council on Climate Change to come up with an aggressive plan for developing renewable energy sources like wind and solar power in Utah. State officials have committed to reduce energy use 20-percent by the year 2015.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW