Utah Representative Lorie Fowlke

The natural resources in Utah are an integral part of this state. The majority of our land is rural with many areas of natural pristine wilderness. In urban areas we struggle with congestion, smog, noise and lights that block out the stars. Extremes in any direction are generally unproductive. I believe that a balanced approach to managing our wilderness areas with the economic benefits of the resources in those areas is most appropriate. We want to protect the environment as much as we can, without losing the opportunities for responsible economic development.

Because such a large portion of our state is federal lands, I support the concept of trading parcels of land to make our trust land parcels larger and more viable as income producing properties. These properties can then be leased or sold for the benefit of education funding, as was originally intended.

Most of us are extremely frustrated and concerned with the recent hike in fuel prices. Whether the reasons are oil speculators or price gouging by the sellers, it is clear that the United States needs to be energy independent. We must do all we can to promote our own sources of energy and be free of dependence on foreign oil. America has plentiful supplies of oil, and gas. In fact, Utah has one of the largest deposits of shale in the world, in the Uintah basin, from which oil can be refined. To this point Congress has refused to lift any of the restrictions prohibiting drilling off shore and in Alaska, or development of these resources. As a State Representative, I will do all I can to lighten the energy burden for our citizens by encouraging tax incentives for energy efficiency. Meanwhile, we must all put pressure on Congress to do their share as well and allow us to develop our own resources.