Laramie council backs letter to PSC urging Rocky Mountain Power to keep renewables in IRP after Sierra Club and residents speak

Councilor O'Doherty moved that the Laramie City Council support a letter of recommendations regarding Rocky Mountain Power's Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to be submitted to the Wyoming Public Service Commission and authorized the mayor to sign; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call, 7 yes, 0 no, 2 absent.

In discussing the rationale, Councilor O'Doherty noted the council's previously adopted emissions goals and said the Environmental Advisory Commission and the city's emissions plan informed the letter. O'Doherty said the city spends in excess of $1,000,000 annually on Rocky Mountain Power and that the city wishes to see greater renewable energy in the utility's portfolio.

Multiple members of the public spoke in favor of stronger action. Emma Jones of the Wyoming chapter of the Sierra Club said the IRP update "includes no new wind or solar for Wyoming for the next 20 years," and urged the council to highlight how small-scale renewable and efficiency programs can help Laramie meet emissions goals. Ed Consul and Sylvia Bagdonis echoed calls for stronger renewable- and storage-focused language; Brett Glass urged the council to table the item until the letter could be rewritten with more emphatic language. City staff said public comments become part of the PSC record and that the PSC now issues acknowledgements or non-acknowledgements of IRPs, making public input more consequential.