Kayah Swanson, kayah.swanson@sierraclub.org
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - Utah Renewable Communities (URC) has checked off a big item on the to-do list in order to achieve a clean energy future for the state.
URC—a group of cities, towns, and counties launching a net-100% renewable electricity option for Rocky Mountain Power customers—has this month finalized its utility agreement with Rocky Mountain Power. It’s a fulfillment of the next step in the process laid out by Utah’s Community Renewable Energy Act.
“This utility agreement is a significant milestone on the pathway to making clean, renewable energy available in Utah, and the leadership from participating cities and counties deserve praise for building an agreement that can deliver results for all of their residents,” said Sierra Club Utah Chapter Director Luis Miranda.
Utah’s HB 411, or the Community Renewable Energy Act, was passed and signed into law during the legislature’s 2019 session. The Act makes it possible for communities that opted-in to collaborate directly with Rocky Mountain Power to source net-100% of energy from renewable resources by 2030.
Participating cities and counties need to sign the agreement by November 17th. Many of the conversations about whether cities and counties will sign will take place in local council meetings. Sierra Club is calling on community members in Ogden, Emigration, Salt Lake County, and all other participating locations to speak up in those meetings and reach out to their local officials to ensure they sign on.
“I am thrilled that these cities, towns, and counties have already taken the bold step of adopting a resolution and choosing to participate,” said Linda Zeveloff, a resident of Ogden, UT and local advocate for clean energy. “We are all proud of Ogden for being part of this group. It is now time for us to contact our elected officials and make our voices heard to make sure they sign the Utility Agreement."
Those interested in learning more about the process and following community sign-ons to the utility agreement can visit utahrenewablecommunities.org.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.