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Health board hears briefing on state‑approved Community Clean Energy Program ahead of county council decision
Summary
A county staffer told the Summit County Board of Health the Utah Public Service Commission approved a Community Clean Energy Program on March 4; the county council will decide whether to adopt an ordinance by June 2, 2026, which would opt unincorporated areas of the county into the program.
Emily Winden, a staffer with the Community Clean Energy Program, briefed the board about the decade‑long effort and the recent Public Service Commission order that approved the program on March 4. "This program was approved by the Utah Public Service Commission on March 4," Winden said, outlining that 19 communities are enrolled in the Community Renewable Energy Agency (URC) and now must decide whether to adopt local ordinances to participate.
Winden described key mechanics: the commission set a $4/month residential participation surcharge and a usage‑based commercial rate (about 0.5¢ per kWh), and residential customers in participating communities will be automatically enrolled with an opt‑out option. "Every customer is required to receive two notices about the program," Winden said, explaining a mailed notice and a second mailed or electronic notice depending on preferences. She said local governments have until June 2 to adopt the enabling ordinance and noted Rocky Mountain Power estimates about five months to modify billing systems after adoption, meaning service would not begin immediately.
Board members asked about outreach to low‑income households and how the low‑income benefit would be applied. Winden said the program includes a subsidy funded through the surcharge for qualifying customers but that those customers must be enrolled in the utility's existing bill‑assistance program to receive the free participation benefit. On opt‑out logistics she said customers can leave without justification and that the program includes a six‑month no‑cost cancellation period and a $30 termination fee for residential customers who exit after the initial free window. Winden also said the program's initial resource solicitations focused on solar, wind and geothermal projects and that at least four projects were under negotiation under nondisclosure agreements.
The brief concluded with a reminder that several other municipalities in the county will consider the matter soon; Winden said Springdale was scheduled to vote first and that the county council will take up the ordinance on April 15. The board expressed general support and offered to have its chair convey that support to the county council at the upcoming hearing.
