The House Environment, Energy and Technology Committee introduced a resolution Wedneday approving the 2012 state energy plan.

The plan, written by the Idaho Legislature’s Interim Energy, Environment and Technology Committee, continues to give preference to energy efficiency programs and cost efficient renewable energy resources. But it replaces support for incentives for energy projects with simple encouragement.

The plan, proposed by Rep. George Eskridge, the Dover Republican who co-chairs the interim committee, and Republican Sen. Curt McKenzie of Nampa, the other co-chair, also recommends developing natural gas resources in the state and alternative transportation fuels.

Eskridge said I was in a great position with among the lowest prices nationwide for electricity and natural gas. But he said the state needs to plan to protect its future.

“Idaho’s position as an importer of 80 percent of our energy leaves us vulnerable to events beyond our control,” Eskridge said.