Public Service Commission reports localized power-quality deviations, rulemaking timeline for large-load contracts and broadband fund status

The Utah Public Service Commission reported Oct. 1 on several statutorily required items: Rocky Mountain Power's electric power delivery quality plan, the absence of notices of forced retirement of generating units, progress on implementing the state's large-load electrical service law and the status of the Universal Public Telecommunications Service Support Fund (USF).

Commissioner Finn said the commission received Rocky Mountain Power's first quality-plan report for the Jan. 1——/31/2024 reporting period and that public comments will remain open through Nov. 5 with reply comments due Nov. 20; the PSC may supplement its report afterward. The commission described five classes of power-quality metrics monitored at substations: steady-state voltage, voltage imbalance, sags and swells, total harmonic distortion (THD), and flicker. Rocky Mountain Power identified localized deviations in several locations and reported a mix of remediation actions: some problems were addressed by customer-side corrections (for example, customer equipment or a solar facility's equipment that injected harmonics), others by utility operational changes or equipment upgrades. The PSC said it will continue to accept public input before finalizing any supplemental report.

On forced retirements, the commission reported it had received no notifications from a qualified electric utility (PacifiCorp/Rocky Mountain Power) in the past 12 months of an early or forced closure of electric-generation units (the reporting requirement is part of a May 2024 statute).

The commission also described progress implementing the May effective-date statute establishing alternative procedures for serving large customers (100 MW cumulative or 100 MW within five years). The PSC reported multiple rounds of stakeholder comment on draft rules; a revised draft was published Oct. 1 and the commission plans to publish a rule for administrative review and to have implementing rules effective by Jan. 1, 2026. The agency emphasized its limited review authority over contracts once parties execute them and said rulemaking will focus on eligibility, financial assurance and protections against "cherry picking."

Finally, the PSC summarized the Universal Public Telecommunications Service Support Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025: contributions totaled about $42.2 million and distributions about $37.8 million, leaving the fund with a carryover. The current per-access-line surcharge is 98c2a2 per month; most distributions go to rural incumbent local exchange carriers for wholesale broadband and voice support, with smaller lifeline and Relay Utah allocations. The Division of Public Utilities audits recipients by data request and field audits on a regular cycle. The commission said it will complete distribution determinations in November and publish final disbursement levels consistent with its audit and review findings.

Ending: The PSC asked the committee to check the posted report and noted it will file any supplemental material following the close of public comment.