19 Utah Cities Launch $4/Month Clean Energy Program

Nineteen Utah cities and counties are launching a program that lets residents support renewable energy for just $4 a month.

Utah Renewable Communities got the green light from state regulators in March, and participating cities have until June 2 to officially join. The program aims to generate as much renewable energy as customers use from traditional sources, creating a path to 100% renewable power for anyone who opts in.

The beauty of this approach? It opens clean energy to people who can't install solar panels on their homes. "It lets them choose a path that they don't have currently," said Lorenzo Long, Ogden's sustainability coordinator.

Customers in participating communities will be automatically enrolled starting in early 2027, but can opt out free for the first six months. Businesses will pay based on their energy usage. Twelve cents of every residential fee will help low-income customers through bill credits, ensuring the program reaches everyone.

The communities involved represent about a quarter of Rocky Mountain Power's Utah sales and roughly 20% of all electricity sold in the state. That's a significant chunk of customers choosing renewable energy, said Glade Sowards, Salt Lake City's senior energy and climate program manager.

Right now, the program is reviewing bids for new solar or wind projects in Utah, Wyoming, or Idaho. Those facilities should be up and running between 2027 and 2029, with the exact scale depending on how many residents participate.

Why This Inspires

This program solves a real problem. While Rocky Mountain Power's parent company gets 45% of its electricity from renewables across its entire service area, PacifiCorp has no new wind or solar projects planned specifically for Utah customers through 2045.

"This program is a concrete way to actually build new clean energy resources for serving Utah customers," said Logan Mitchell, a climate scientist with Utah Clean Energy. "So it's really important for that reason."

The $4 price tag makes participation accessible. Ogden's Sustainability Committee volunteers recommended the program because of its "uncomplicated and affordable path to net 100% renewable electricity," Long explained.

While the program won't dramatically improve local air quality since few power plants sit along the Wasatch Front, it will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. That's a win for the planet that starts with a choice anyone can afford.

Ogden's City Council will discuss joining at their April 7 work session, with a formal vote likely in May. Salt Lake City has scheduled a public hearing for April 21, giving residents a chance to weigh in on bringing renewable energy to their community.