On Jan. 26, Gov. Gary Herbert’s State of the State address credited the state’s “long low-cost” and reliable supplies of energy for its economic viability. “Utah businesses compete better and are more successful because Utah has lower energy costs than most other states,” he said. “We are a state that is largely energy independent. In fact, we are a net exporter of electricity. While many other states, and indeed our nation, have compromised or abandoned their energy independence, here in Utah, we will not!” Two days later, Rocky Mountain Power announced it was seeking a $232.4 million rate hike—the largest ever. We’re just using too danged much electricity, says RMP spokesman Dave Eskelson, who predicts annual increases of up to 10 percent a year. And we might mention that RMP has increased rates every year.
Cottonwood Heights has stars in its eyes over a development proposal at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon. The Canyon Racquet Club at the corner of Wasatch and Canyon boulevards is gone. Plans are for a couple of hotels, offices, parking structures, restaurants and an amphitheater. The private development, besides being pricey, will be using tax dollars to pay for the infrastructure. Reports say that over a 25-year period, the county, the city, the school district, recreation and other entities will miss out on about $15 million in tax revenues—the size of Cottonwood Heights’ current annual budget. A public hearing on the financial plan for the proposed Canyon Centre Development will be held on Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. at the city offices.
Holly “On the Hill” Richardson showed restraint in not calling KUTV 2’s Brian Mullahey an ignorant slut. Richardson, a midwife who’s gained conservative credentials by blogging from Capitol Hill, beat out four men in a delegate vote to take Rep. Craig Frank’s District 57 House seat. First, Mullahey says he couldn’t help but ask about her family. Richardson has 24 children—20 of whom she adopted. OK, 24 kids is a lot, but not unheard of in Utah legislative circles. Men aren’t asked how they’ll handle their jobs and family. Then, Mullahey asks Richardson if she thinks she’s like Sarah Palin. Richardson said she’s simply a woman willing to run for office. The big difference is that Richardson blogs off the cuff, and Palin speaks from the hand.
