Amy Dominguez, amy.dominguez@sierraclub.org
Salt Lake City, UT – On Monday evening, December 9, 2024, Utahns rallied outside the Heber Wells Building and packed the Public Service Commission’s hearing to oppose Rocky Mountain Power’s proposed rate hike. The increase, which would subsidize fossil fuel reliance, shift wildfire costs onto ratepayers, and would burden families with higher bills, drew sharp criticism from residents who didn’t mince words when they called for the utility’s accountability, and demanded clean energy solutions.
Earlier this year, Rocky Mountain Power proposed a staggering 30% rate increase, shocking Utahn residents. Public outcry led to a scaled-back hike of 18%, but the utility has revealed plans to recover these costs, pushing the overall rate increase back to 30% or higher. This is being done via the utility’s Energy Balancing Account (EBA) that effectively keeps the total increase at 30%. Additionally, Rocky Mountain Power has filed a separate request with the Commission for $50 million to cover wildfire liability insurance costs stemming from its parent company, PacifiCorp, being found negligent in causing devastating wildfires in Oregon. Further complicating matters, the utility is seeking ratepayer funding for its Wildland Fire Protection Plan and leveraging a recently passed state law (S.B. 224) to create a $1 billion Utah Fire Fund.
85% of the rate increases are driven largely by the rising costs of coal and gas. But instead of prioritizing renewable energy like wind and solar which is cheaper, reduces wildfire risk, and intensity, Rocky Mountain Power, enabled by Utah legislators, has continued to double down on fossil fuels – perpetuating a toxic cycle that increases wildfire hazards, and delays the transition to the clean energy future that Utah desperately needs.
During the hearing, several community members shared public comment, drawing attention to Rocky Mountain Power’s multibillionaire parent company, PacifiCorp, owned by Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway. Attendees lifted Monopoly-themed signs and banners, reading "community chest: Pay day for Rocky Mountain Power shareholders. Utahns, add 30% to utility bills." A satirical speech was also read during the hearing by Mr. Monopoly, urging the Commission to keep with the status quo and approve the rate increase to continue to build on the monopoly's empire.
“Not only are they trying to get us to pay more without us realizing it, but they’re trying to get us to pay for their mistakes,” said Alyssa Chamberlain, volunteer member of the Utah Needs Clean Energy (UNCE) advocacy group during her public comment. “They’re trying to get us to pay for the fires they caused, and will probably continue to cause in the future. They’re trying to get us to pay for their coal burning power plants, which we have continually asked them to shut down, or at least reduce pollution to. But they are continuing to contribute to climate change, destroying our lungs and the environment, and yet they have the audacity to try and get us to pay more for them to continue to do so.”
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