Millcreek community renewable energy board says PSC order and utility filings are delaying program launch; board reviews budgets and Midvale voting timeline

The Millcreek City Community Renewable Energy Agency Board on April 7 heard that state regulator action and delayed filings from the utility are postponing the launch of the agency’s market solicitation, reviewed routine treasury and communications items, and discussed whether newly joined Midvale should be allowed to vote before program adoption.

Board chair Council Member Dan Dugan presided over the roughly 20-minute meeting in a Millcreek conference room with several members participating remotely.

The board’s program staff told members they are ready to release a solicitation but are waiting for formal action from the Utah Public Service Commission. “We’re awaiting an order from the public service commission on our solicitation docket,” staff member Christopher Thomas said. He added that the agency has redlined solicitation documents and expects to issue the solicitation quickly once the order arrives: “I’m hoping from the time from when we get the order to when we release the solicitation to market would be something like 7 no more than 7 days is what I’m hopeful for.”

Why it matters: the timing of the commission order and related filings by PacifiCorp (Rocky Mountain Power) will determine when the agency can solicit vendors and advance program enrollment and implementation. Thomas also reported a separate delay in PacifiCorp’s program-application filings; staff expect PacifiCorp to file additional testimony before a scheduling conference is set and the agency files its own testimony.

On routine business, the board unanimously approved the May 6, 2024, meeting minutes. A board member identified in the meeting as Jeff Silverstein made the motion to approve the minutes; Council Member Drew Quinn seconded and the motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

Treasury and communications: the board reviewed a treasury report noting no new revenues and a recent vendor payment. A communications committee member identified as Chris reported that two invoices from Pennant Powers totaling $1,218 were processed through Millcreek and paid. Chris said the committee’s communications budget has about $1,800 remaining to support possible additional press releases as the program approaches key milestones.

Low-income plan committee: Emily Quintin, representing Summit County, reported for the Low-Income Plan Committee. “We did meet this past month. We discussed a potential plan ahead, following Samantha DeSylhurst departing her position and not officially having a committee facilitator,” Quintin said. She told the board the committee plans to continue meeting, review work completed to date and handle outstanding tasks without immediately naming a new facilitator.

Midvale voting timeline: board members raised the question of whether Midvale — the most recent community to join the agency — should be granted voting status sooner than the board’s current new-member process allows. One board member proposed revisiting that process and bringing a resolution to the May board meeting to consider granting Midvale voting rights after it submitted its second payment. No formal vote occurred; the board officers were asked to prepare a resolution for the next meeting.

Other scheduling and logistics: the board noted that the July meeting will be held July 8 to avoid the July 4 holiday and that members can contact staff (Christopher Thomas, Emily Quintin or the chair) with questions about participation percentages included in packet materials.

The board adjourned with no additional public comments and no further formal actions recorded.