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Letter: Kudos to our power companies, who are pursuing cleaner energy

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Artspace Solar Gardens at 850 S. 400 West in Salt Lake City, which opened in August 2013, is the first net-zero mixed-use energy building with onsite solar production in the state of Utah. Next year will be consumers’ last chance to take advantage of a sizable federal rebate for new solar installations, and cash incentives available through Rocky Mountain Power could be coming to an end as well.

Kermit Heid’s letter (“Not emmission free,” Feb. 21) stated that electric cars are really not emission-free, since our electricity comes from coal burned at 30 percent efficiency. With solar panels, we’ve been able to drive our Leaf 16,000 emission-free miles in the Salt Lake Valley.

I was appalled to think that the rest of our electricity might come solely from coal, but was pleasantly surprised to learn that Murray City Power relies on coal for just 50 percent of its electricity. Hydroelectric sources account for 25 percent, and renewable landfill makes up 12 percent of Murray’s power. This method captures methane gas that is a byproduct of our garbage at two local landfills, and converts it into electricity.

Kudos to our power companies, who are pursuing cleaner energy. And kudos to the inhabitants of our valley who take whatever steps they can to decrease their carbon footprint. Let’s hope our government officials will also take steps to encourage the use of cleaner power, including making solar more affordable. We have to remember that we all live in a closed system.

Jerri L Hurley, Murray