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Salt Lake City weighs joining Rocky Mountain Power 'Community Clean Energy Program'
Summary
City staff briefed council on an ordinance to join Rocky Mountain Power's new Community Clean Energy Program; staff said customers would be auto‑enrolled with the option to opt out, an estimated $4/month residential charge, and low‑income protections including bill credits and a waived termination fee.
Salt Lake City staff on Tuesday asked the council to consider an ordinance that would let the city participate in Rocky Mountain Power's newly approved Community Clean Energy Program.
Lehua Weaver, council deputy director, and sustainability staff explained the program after a Public Service Commission approval on 03/04/2026. "This is the culmination of many years and hours of work," Weaver said, noting that joining would allow Rocky Mountain Power to set up the program for participating communities and begin enrollment in early 2027.
Sofia Nicholas, sustainability deputy director, told the council the program would automatically enroll Rocky Mountain Power customers in participating jurisdictions while preserving an opt‑out option. She said communities now have 90 days after the PSC decision to adopt an ordinance; the clock runs through June 2. "It's a brand new program, that was just approved giving Rocky Mountain Power customers and eligible communities the ability to choose clean, reliable energy," Nicholas said.
Program design and rate details were described by Anglaid "Glade" Saward, senior energy and climate program manager. He said staff requested and the commission approved a simple flat residential rate “we asked for and received a a simple $4 per month residential, charge” intended to make the bill impact easy to understand. Saward said the $4 estimate breaks down to approximately $3.88 in program costs and 12¢ to fund low‑income bill credits so qualifying households net to zero.
Staff emphasized protections for qualifying low‑income customers, including an enhanced bill credit that effectively nets the new charge to $0 and a waived termination fee. Saward said outreach plans are required by statute and that the city had identified social‑service partners — and will coordinate further with mayoral staff — to ensure eligible households know the option exists.
Council members asked about the $30 one‑time termination fee after the initial cancellation windows and how mailing and startup costs would be handled. Staff said the fee would go back to the program to stabilize rates and that the sustainability department plans to hold a modest contingency for Rocky Mountain Power administrative startup expenses.
The council did not take a final vote during the work session; staff told council members they will bring a formal ordinance and a separate budget amendment for a startup‑cost agreement if the council wishes to proceed.
