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ST. GEORGE - There is no proof humans are causing global warming, and scientists who say otherwise are tied to the United Nations and a world political movement, Rep. Mike Noel, R-Kanab, told farmers and ranchers meeting at the Utah Farm Bureau's midyear conference Thursday.
Noel also criticized Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. for signing an agreement committing Utah to the Western Region Climate Action Initiative, which is an accord designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions without harming the economy.
Rejecting claims about the dangers of global warming made by scientific groups worldwide, Noel and Sen. Dennis Stowell, R-Parowan, said they plan to sponsor a resolution before the Senate and House, respectively, that would render Huntsman's actions to be nonbinding. Noel runs 200 head of cattle on his ranch in Kane County. Stowell raises cattle, alfalfa and grain.
When asked by an audience member about the chances of a resolution passing, Noel said House members would approve. And as far as any representative opposing the measure, Noel asked, "How many Democrats are there in the House?"
Stowell predicted the Senate would also pass a resolution opposing Huntsman's initiative, but asserted that, like the accord, "it would be nonbinding."
Huntsman's spokeswoman Lisa Roskelley, contacted Thursday in Salt Lake City, said climate change is an issue that shouldn't become overly political.
"This is something Utahns need to feel like we are addressing," she said. "The biggest problem here is we have to acknowledge this issue and address it in a proactive way."
Because the governor has not publicized his plans to meet the initiative's goals, a spokesman for House Speaker Greg Curtis said Thursday that legislative leaders would be reluctant to back Noel at this point.
"When they bring forward initiatives we will look at them and try to make them consumer friendly and business friendly and workable for our state," said Chris Bleak, Curtis' chief of staff.
Gov. Huntsman also has discussed his desire to spend more on renewable fuels, a stand that Noel criticized at the conference. Noel said to the applause of 150 farmers and ranchers that implementing such an initiative would increase energy costs by five or six times.
"When those costs rise, Huntsman will rethink what he's done" with California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger," said Noel.
Noel said energy costs will increase because of the fuels consumed in Utah, "only 10 percent are renewable."
Randy Parker, CEO of the Utah Farm Bureau, said switching to renewable energy would be costly for Utah because the state is No. 3 in the nation in relying on carbon-based fuels, such as coal and natural gas.
"It's our geologic destiny," he said.
Flint Richards, who operates Tooele County's last dairy herd, said that spending a lot of money on what he considers such unproven theories humans being to blame for global warming "is not wise government."
* MATT CANHAM contributed to this story.