Founders of Utah Clean Energy are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, continuing to monitor and share thoughts and ideas on ways we can be more clean-energy-efficient.
Sarah Wright is the founder and CEO of Utah Clean Energy. She reflected back on what that journey has looked like since 2001.
“When I started this journey in 2001, nearly 95 percent of the electricity generated in Utah was from coal. We had virtually no renewable energy built. Electric vehicles were a thing from the movies. People’s understanding of energy efficiency was mostly relegated to quirky light bulbs. And talking about climate change? Not the easiest conversation starter.
“Look at how far we have come. Today, Utah has harnessed enough new renewable energy to power nearly 1 million homes. Electric vehicles of all types travel on our roads daily. Local energy efficiency programs save families and businesses millions of dollars and prevent millions of tons of carbon emissions every year. These aren’t just numbers; they represent healthier communities, cleaner air, and a path to a better future for all of us.”
Though she is stepping down as CEO this year, she’s proud of the legacy the organization has created, moving from a “small, scrappy volunteer team (that) has emerged as one of Utah’s leading advocacy organizations. We serve as connectors, conveners and trusted experts. We have built partnerships across political divides and shaped game-changing policies that move us toward a pollution-free future, all while staying true to our vision of healthy, thriving communities empowered by clean energy.”
Wright says Utah Clean Energy has grown alongside Utah’s transformation. She said the next chapter is about accelerating UCE’s momentum.
“I’ve always said that climate change represents both our greatest challenge and our greatest opportunity to build a better world. Utah Clean Energy’s work is far from finished. In fact, some of our most important work lies ahead. While the political headwinds we face are real, the progress we’ve made is unstoppable, and I truly believe the best is yet to come.”
Along those lines, the foundation points out several key things to remember going forward.
Don’t let fuel standards plummet: When fuel efficiency drops, we all pay the price. The U.S. Department of Transportation is proposing to reduce corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards. CAFE standards set the minimum miles-per-gallon that carmakers must average across their fleet of vehicles. If finalized, the average miles per gallon (mpg) of most new cars and trucks will go from about 50 mpg to 34.5 mpg by 2031. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is studying proposed standards to recommend.
Incentives to reduce emissions: The Utah Department of Environmental Quality has launched a powerful new tool to help you find incentives for your clean air projects. This one-stop resource brings together programs from the Utah Division of Air Quality, other state agencies, federal sources, and local utilities, all in one easy-to-use platform. You can browse over 500 incentives, compare options and unlock opportunities to make your project more affordable and impactful. Browse over 500 incentives, compare options, and unlock opportunities to make your project more affordable and impactful. Explore the Utah Clean Air Incentive Finder at https://incentivefinder.utah.gov/.
Utah’s energy efficiency workforce is booming: The Energy Efficiency Jobs in America Report reveals that energy efficiency remains the largest sector of the U.S. clean energy workforce, with nearly 2.4 million Americans employed in roles that reduce energy use through smarter appliances, efficient buildings, advanced data systems, innovative financing and cutting-edge technologies. In 2024 alone, energy efficiency added almost 100,000 new jobs and grew by 4 percent, which is faster than any other energy sector! In Utah, this translates to thousands of jobs powering local economies and creating opportunities in every community. You can see the report at https://building-performance.org/education/resources/utah/.