The Utah Energy Office has released the 2002 report on coal production and distribution. Utah mines produced 25.3 million tons of coal last year, down 6.4 percent from near record production in 2001. Coal prices rose during 2002, but did not offset the loss of foreign export markets and a weak domestic economy. As a result, Utah coalmine revenue is down about $12.6 million, or 2.6 percent from 2001. In addition, coalmine employment is declining as labor-saving technology allows mines to go deeper while improving safety.

Coal is vital to the national economy, meeting about half of the nation’s electricity demand. In Utah, about 95 percent of electric power needs are met by coal. During 2002, more than 9 million tons of Utah coal were sent to other states for power production and industry.

The 2002 Utah Coal Report is part of a series of reports being prepared by the Utah Energy Office, within the Utah Department of Natural Resources. The Utah Energy Statistical Abstract will also be released in December.

For more information on the Utah Coal Report please contact Jon Allred at 538-4713, the Energy Hotline 1-800-662-3633, or jonallred@utah.gov. The report may also be viewed on the web at www.energy.utah.gov.

2:03:04 PM    

Gov. Olene Walker met Friday with members of the Outdoor Industry Association and affirmed her commitment to promote the outdoor recreation industry in Utah. During the meeting, she announced her appointments to the Outdoor Recreation Economic Ecosystem Task Force and asked Lt. Gov. Gayle McKeachnie to facilitate the group’s work. The task force was created by Gov. Mike Leavitt prior to his resignation.

This is a talented task force with great diversity and balance. I know the lieutenant governor will help this group succeed as he works closely with its members, said Walker. It is my hope Utah will become the world’s leading outdoor recreation destination and industry center. This industry is a great contributor to our economy and has the potential for the additional creation of new jobs, especially in rural Utah.

Walker appointed five members from state government, five members from county government and six representatives of the outdoor recreation industry to the task force, including:

• Wes Curtis, State Planning Coordinator
• Bob Morgan, Executive Director, Department of Natural Resources
• Jeff Gochnour, Director, Division of Business and Economic Development
• Dean Reeder, Director, Utah Travel Council
• Courtland Nelson, Director, Division of Parks and Recreation
• Lynn Stevens, San Juan County Commissioner
• Mike McKee, Uintah County Commissioner
• Steve Harmsen, Salt Lake County Council Member
• Dennis Stowell, Iron County Commissioner
• Ralph Okerlund, Sevier County Commissioner
• Peter Metcalf, Black Diamond
• Roody Rasmussen, Petzl America
• Riley Cutler, Wasatch Touring
• Sheri Griffith, Sheri Griffith Expeditions
• Ashley Korenblat, Western Spirit Cycling
• Glen Zumwalt, Big Pine Sports

The task force will work cooperatively to develop a business and marketing plan to build and promote Utah’s outdoor recreation industry. With an eye toward economic development, they will seek to build bridges between the outdoor recreation economy and the traditional western heritage economy of rural Utah.

They are charged with ensuring Utah’s local economies benefit from the outdoor recreation economy and local communities can sufficiently provide public services typically strained by outdoor recreation, such as search and rescue and road maintenance. Their charge also includes identification of the state’s premier outdoor recreation destinations. The State Planning Coordinator and the Department of Community and Economic Development will provide administrative support to the task force.

7:06:45 AM