Utah Communities Form Coalition to Add Renewable Energy to Grid

A coalition of 19 Utah cities, towns and counties has created a program to add renewable electricity to the regional grid. The group aims to generate enough clean power to match the electricity consumed by nearly 300,000 homes and businesses. Participating communities include Salt Lake City, Park City, Moab, Springdale, Coalville and Castle Valley.

Communities have until June 2 to pass local ordinances confirming participation. Once approved, Rocky Mountain Power will enroll every home in participating communities. Residents will pay a $4 monthly fee starting next year, with low-income households eligible for coverage and an opt-out option available.

Utah's electricity currently comes from coal and natural gas. Renewables account for roughly 22 percent. The coalition plans to announce its first clean energy project this summer and begin generating power by 2030. State leaders have passed legislation to extend the life of some coal-fired plants.

At the same time, the coalition is moving ahead with its renewable projects. "Utah needs all of the power that it can get with the data centers, the advent of artificial intelligence, EVs," said Steve Handy, the Republican state representative who championed the 2019 bill.

PacifiCorp spokesperson David Eskelsen stated that federal policy changes have altered the company's resource planning. The coalition's first project is scheduled for announcement this summer.