The goal is to define "renewable energy zones," to highlight locations to identify the areas most promising for development and where additional transmission capacity might be needed.

Dianne Nielsen, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s energy adviser and co-chair of the task force, said bringing together a diverse group of energy experts will help to avoid pitfalls and work through issues to make sure the best possible sites are identified.

That will help accelerate the process of getting the power on line to help the state's goal of having 20 percent of the power used in the state coming from renewable or low-carbon sources by 2025, if it is cost-effective.

"I think the target that was identified is achievable," Nielsen said. "The hard part is figuring out how to reach it, what the steps are that you have to take to get there."

The task force hopes to complete its report on the high-potential zones by Nov. 13. A second phase will make policy recommendations on how to accelerate transmission planning and permitting for renewable projects, and look at the cost-effectiveness and transmission needs.

Rick Allis of the Utah Geological Survey, who is co-chairing the task force, said there are about 810 gigawatt-hours of renewable energy in Utah's system today. That will have to grow to somewhere in the ballpark of 10,000 gigawatt hours by 2025.

- Robert Gehrke

Wind:

* Utah currently has about 19 megawatts of wind power in Spanish Fork Canyon.

* PacifiCorp reports having four projects with 857 megawatts "in progress."

* The big barriers to developing wind power are initial costs and access to transmission lines.

Solar

* Utah has considerable solar potential, especially in the western and southwestern parts of the state.

* Southern Utah has about 300 sunny days per year.

* There is no commercial development of solar power in Utah.

* Again, cost of development and access to transmission lines are the biggest obstacles.

Geothermal

* There are limited resource areas in Utah.

* PacifiCorp reports 82.5 megawatts "in progress."

* Geothermal is a baseload source of power, meaning it produces a steady supply of electricity.

* There are high upfront costs for drilling, transmission is an issue and projects take longer to develop.

Source: State Energy Program