Rocky Mountain Power has partnered with Utah Renewable Communities (URC) to submit an application to the Utah Public Service Commission (PSC) to launch a new clean energy program. This agreement to submit the proposal follows nearly five years of negotiation and collaboration between the partners.
Formed in response to a 2019 Utah law, URC represents 19 communities that have united to fund the design of clean energy initiatives. URC has proposed low-income assistance plans and resource acquisition strategies to help ensure affordability, as required by state law.
If approved, the program will offer eligible URC customers an affordable clean energy option to encourage new clean energy supply. The initial program rate acceptable to the URC board would add no more than $3 to $4 per month to the average residential bill. Costs will be determined as the program is approved and may be adjusted annually as clean energy resources are procured in support of the program.
“Utah communities are stepping up to add energy at a time of unprecedented new demand,” said URC Chair Dan Dugan. “We want to add more clean energy to Rocky Mountain Power’s grid. We believe our efforts complement Utah’s Operation Gigawatt initiative to double the state’s energy generation over the next decade.”
The funds raised through the program will primarily be used to acquire new clean energy sources, bolstering energy generation during what Gov. Spencer Cox describes as a “looming energy crisis.” In addition to supplying the grid with more clean energy, additional benefits of the program are expected to include job creation, increased local tax revenue and reduced air pollution, according to URC.
To support low-income households, the program proposes automatic bill credits for customers already receiving monthly assistance through Rocky Mountain Power to help offset any additional program cost. This initiative would be funded by an estimated 9- cent monthly charge for other participating customers.
“It’s a small price to pay to help make this clean energy program affordable for all,” said Samantha DeSeelhorst of Cottonwood Heights, who led the development of the state’s required low-income assistance plans. “Clean energy shouldn’t be a luxury — it’s a necessity for the health of our communities. By building affordability into this program, we’re ensuring that everyone, regardless of their income level, can benefit from new clean energy.”
If approved by the PSC and adopted by the participating communities later this year, customers next year would receive two opt-out notices before being enrolled in the program. Customers will be able to opt out through the Rocky Mountain Power website, by calling Rocky Mountain Power customer service or by mail. While PSC rules require only three billing cycles before any termination fees would apply, the URC board wants to double the initial period to six billing cycles and for termination fees to be waived for qualifying low-income customers and customers who move outside of participating communities.
The URC board estimates that the program could add between 300 and 1,600 gigawatt-hours of clean energy to the Rocky Mountain Power grid annually by the end of 2030.