Senate extends electric restructuring study, reauthorizes task force

Senator Jones presented Senate Bill 15 to reauthorize the Electric Utility Deregulation and Customer Choice Task Force. The bill renews the task force’s authority to continue studying electric restructuring, repeals obsolete duties from the earlier deregulation statute, and removes a past rate freeze reference from code.

Jones emphasized Utah’s diverse utility landscape — one investor-owned utility, multiple cooperative systems and many municipal systems — and said a cautious, study-driven approach is appropriate rather than immediate deregulation. The reauthorization preserves legislative membership on the task force and contemplates two to four meetings per year (quarterly recommended by the sponsor). A fiscal note of approximately $7,000 was attached to support the task force’s meeting schedule and administrative costs.

Senators spoke in support of retaining the task force for continued study and oversight; the floor discussion stressed learning from other states and ensuring the Public Service Commission remains involved. The bill was advanced for floor consideration and the sponsor offered summation before the chamber moved on to other items.