Rocky Mountain Power wins 60-day continuation and tolling of statutory deadline

The Utah County Planning Commission voted Sept. 16 to continue consideration of a Rocky Mountain Power application until Nov. 18 and to toll the 60-day decision deadline cited in Utah Code 54-18-304(a)(1) while the matter is continued. The applicant requested the delay and a pause of the statutory review clock.

Commissioners granted the continuation after staff told the board a prior action that month had already paused the 60-day period. “We’re here to seek a continuation. We’d actually like to ask for 60 days instead of 30 to your November meeting, and … also ask that the 60-day requirement … be tolled while the matter is continued,” said John Hutchings, speaking on behalf of Rocky Mountain Power.

Why it matters: Utah Code sets a 60-day window for certain public-utility related permit decisions; tolling that statutory window gives the applicant additional time to provide information without triggering a statutory requirement that the commission act within the 60 days.

What happened: Bridal Armstrong, community development staff, told the commission the applicant had requested a continuance and that the request should have been circulated to commissioners. After the applicant asked for a Nov. 18 continuation and for the 60-day period to be paused, a commissioner moved to continue the item to the commission’s Nov. 18 meeting and to pause the 60-day statutory deadline. The motion carried on a voice vote. The commission did not record a roll-call vote in the meeting transcript.

Context and next steps: Staff indicated the commission’s earlier action that month had already paused the statutory period; the pause will remain in effect while the matter is continued. The commission set the continued hearing date for Nov. 18, 2025, and told members of the public who had come for the item that there was no decision tonight and they were welcome to return in November.

Ending: The commission did not take further action on the application at the Sept. 16 meeting. Any additional filings, submittals or staff reports that parties wish the commission to consider should be submitted through the county’s established channels ahead of the Nov. 18 meeting.