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Residents urge Cottonwood Heights to join Utah Renewables Communities program
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Summary
Several residents and State Senator Kathleen Reby urged the Cottonwood Heights City Council to adopt the Utah Renewables Communities program, saying it would reduce reliance on fossil fuels, protect children's health and offer residents a voluntary way to support clean power.
Cottonwood Heights residents used the council’s public comment period on April 7 to press the city to opt into the Utah Renewables Communities (URC) program.
“Transitioning to cleaner energy is one of the most direct and responsible things that we can do to protect our Wasatch environment,” resident Shannon Haley said, asking the council to adopt the program so residents and businesses would have the option to support cleaner power. Haley said the move would reduce reliance on coal and gas, improve health and create local jobs.
Resident Chester told the council he had reviewed the state action and related regulatory approvals and described savings for participating households. “I’m looking at $100 a year easy,” Chester said, adding that participants get renewable energy at their homes and that the program includes a six-month opt-out period.
State Senator Kathleen Reby, introduced by the mayor, also expressed support and encouraged the council to consider adopting URC, noting the legislation’s sponsors and that only a limited number of communities can join.
Speakers emphasized that joining the program would be voluntary for residents and framed the option as a way to protect local air quality and public health. Several speakers said opting out at the city level would remove that choice for Cottonwood Heights residents.
The council did not take formal action on the Utah Renewables Communities program during the meeting; public comments were recorded and the agenda moved on to proclamations and resolutions.
