The Utah Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved a renewable energy program that will allow customers of Rocky Mountain Power in 19 Utah communities to support the development of new utility-scale clean energy resources.
The program is part of the Utah Renewable Communities initiative, a multi-year collaboration between the utility and participating cities, counties and towns.
“This approval represents years of coordination and partnership,” said Dan Dugan, Utah Renewable Communities board chair and Salt Lake City council member. “Together we’ve created a program that expands access to clean energy while supporting reliability, affordability and economic growth in Utah.”
The program allows Rocky Mountain Power’s customers in participating communities to fund new renewable energy projects while helping Utah communities meet their clean energy goals. For participating residential customers, funding will come through an initial $4 monthly charge on their bills. Non-residential customers who participate in the program will pay based on usage. A portion of the initial monthly charge for residential customers will be allocated to a low-income assistance fund to provide bill credits for eligible customers to participate at no additional cost.
The PSC’s approval allows participating communities to take the next step by passing a local ordinance confirming their participation. Communities that adopt the ordinance by June 2 will automatically enroll residents of the community in the program who are Rocky Mountain Power customers.
Customers are expected to receive their first notices about the program in late 2026 and will start to see a new clean energy line item on their bills 60 days later in early 2027. The opt-out notices will include additional details and instructions on how to opt out of participation in the program.
Since 2019, communities from Ogden to Springdale have worked with the utility to design the program following the passage of Utah HB411, which created a pathway for communities to collaborate with Rocky Mountain Power on such a renewable energy program.
“The Utah Renewable Communities program creates a new pathway for residents and businesses to support clean energy in our own communities,” said Randy Aton, a Springdale town council member. “It balances Springdale’s sustainability goals with long-term energy needs while making clean energy accessible to more Utahns.”
“Rocky Mountain Power cooperated with communities, Utah legislators and the PSC to advise about changes to state energy policy changes and program design so participating communities could achieve their renewable energy goals,” said Tim Solomon, director of community relations at Rocky Mountain Power. “We’ll continue to assist communities as they make further efforts to move the program forward.”
Participating communities include Alta, Castle Valley, Coalville, Cottonwood Heights, Francis, unincorporated Grand County, Emigration Canyon, Holladay, Kearns, Midvale, Millcreek, Moab, Oakley, Ogden, Park City, Salt Lake City, unincorporated Salt Lake County, Springdale and unincorporated Summit County.
Program rates will be reviewed annually by the PSC and any changes will be communicated to customers. Details on the program can be found at the Utah Renewable Communities website, www.utahrenewablecommunities.org.