The Western Way
Steve Handy is a Utah State Representative. John Karakoulakis is Director of The Western Way.
The Western Way is a nonprofit organization of conservative stewards of the Western environment. They believe an honest read of the facts and data demonstrate serious problems with the environment caused by humans.
Some of their work is done through the Rural Energy Network, a coalition of community leaders focused on energy policies that advance local economies by maximizing energy development in rural communities. REN is an initiative of The Western Way, focused on delivering free-market solutions to energy and environmental challenges facing the Western U.S.
The Western Way recently released a report, The Economic Benefits of Utah's Rural Renewable Energy Industry. PUF talked with Utah State Representative Steve Handy and The Western Way's John Karakoulakis about what they are hoping to achieve.
PUF's Steve Mitnick: John, what are you about and what are you trying to do?
John Karakoulakis: The Western Way is a group we formed five years ago, with the central premise that economic and environmental issues can go hand in hand, and the discussion was too polarized.