Gov. Cox calls for focus on energy this legislative session

SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Spencer Cox hopes the Legislature will charge forward with his plan to bring more energy production to Utah this legislative session.

In an interview with KSL, Cox laid out his priorities this session and energy is number one on his list.

Cox said he is working closely with the Legislature to execute Operation Gigawatt — an initiative to double energy production over the next 10 years.

“We’ve got a big focus on nuclear,” Cox said. “We’ve got some geothermal projects we’ll be working on. We need more gas-fired power plants and we just need to make it easier to permit that type of infrastructure so that we can meet the demand not just of the future but of right now.”

Cox believes Utah needs to up its production, not just because of companies that are located here, but because the energy draw across the globe is so big.

“Consumer demand is certainly going up, but where we are really seeing it across the country is this artificial intelligence arms race,” Cox said.

In addition to energy production, another big priority for Cox is cutting Social Security taxes for seniors.

“Taking the income tax off of social security…is something that President Trump is interested in as well,” Cox stated. “We are one of only eight states that are doing it. There’s no reason that we should be taxing social security benefits.”

Cox also hopes to see the Legislature seek criminal justice reforms and solutions to ending homelessness this legislative session.

Heather Peterson is a reporter and producer for KSL NewsRadio. She also produces Utah’s Noon News.