Amy Dominguez, Sierra Club, amy.dominguez@sierraclub.org
Carmen Valdez, HEAL Utah, carmen@healutah.org
Samantha Pensari, Stewardship Utah, samantha@stewardshiputah.org
Salt Lake City – The 90-day ordinance adoption period for the Utah Renewable Communities (URC) program concluded on Tuesday, June 2 after the city of Midvale unanimously voted to adopt the program, bringing the total number of participating communities to 16. The first-of-its-kind program that has sparked national attention will bring affordable, net-100% renewable energy to the grid, empowering thousands of Rocky Mountain Power customers to choose where their electricity comes from.
Eligible cities and counties that formally adopted the program by passing a local ordinance span the state. They include Alta, Emigration Canyon, Midvale, Oakley, Salt Lake City, Summit County (unincorporated), Town of Castle Valley, Francis City, Holladay, Millcreek, Ogden, Salt Lake County (unincorporated), Grand County (unincorporated), Moab City, Park City, and Springdale Town.
Week after week, residents spoke out in local city council and county commission meetings to advocate for a choice in their energy future. Renewable energy projects in Utah support local economies, good-paying jobs, and offer tax revenue for the state while displacing polluting fossil fuels that worsen the impacts of the climate crisis.
Customers will receive notices from Rocky Mountain Power near the end of 2026, offering the choice to opt-out of the program. The program will cost a flat $4.00 per month for residential customers with no cost to qualifying low-income customers. Customers will be included by default, making it easy to participate, but will always have the option to opt-out.
A united front of organizations, volunteers, and organizers supported the ordinance adoption campaign and celebrate the outcome of this process, including Utah Clean Energy, Climate Utah, Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society, Alliance for a Better Utah, Latter-day Saint Earth Stewardship, and UYES (Utah Youth Environmental Solutions).
“Neighbors across Utah cities and counties showed up in droves to support the Utah Renewable Communities Program, underscoring that Utahns are ready to have a choice on where they want their electricity to come from. Utahns across the state have been organizing for a decade to make energy choice a reality. From initial negotiations with the utility in 2016, to passing a bipartisan bill to authorize the program in 2019, to multiple rounds of votes in their respective city and county councils over the past 7 years, and months of hearings at the Public Service Commission, this effort has been supported every step of the way by dedicated community members. Today we celebrate with all of the residents, elected officials, partners, and city and county staff who sustained and realized the vision for clean energy choice. Without them, Utahns wouldn’t have any investment in clean energy for the next 20 years.
Clean energy, especially reliable renewable energy, is one of the most affordable ways to source electricity. Clean energy offers the opportunity to strengthen local economies, provide good jobs, and restore clean air. We look forward to the roll-out of the program and its contribution to Utah’s clean energy transition.”
– Luis Miranda, Senior Campaign Organizer, Sierra Club
"The success of 16 participating communities moving forward through the Community Clean Energy Program demonstrates that communities across Utah are ready to embrace a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. This milestone puts Utah on a path toward delivering net-100% renewable electricity to hundreds of thousands of residents and businesses while reducing harmful pollution and strengthening community resilience.
At a time when state leaders and utility providers are pushing against renewable energy options, these communities are showing that renewable energy solutions are available today, can be deployed more quickly, and provide tangible benefits to Utah families. HEAL Utah applauds the local leaders, residents, and utility partners who have helped make this progress possible and looks forward to supporting continued efforts to expand clean energy opportunities throughout the state.”
— Carmen Valdez, Senior Policy Associate, HEAL Utah
“The Community Clean Energy Program is the biggest opportunity this decade to decarbonize our state and expand clean energy resources across Utah. Utah is pioneering a first-of-its-kind approach that empowers communities to have a meaningful voice in their energy future. Sixteen cities have stepped up to invest in their communities and provide Utah families with real choice.
As energy demand rises and fossil fuel markets remain volatile, communities across Utah are leading the way with clean energy solutions. We’re incredibly grateful to the elected officials, community leaders, and residents whose support made this possible, and we’re excited to see the impact this program will have on Utah’s future.”
— Samantha Pensari, Energy Policy Associate, Stewardship Utah
“This is just one more example illustrating that Utahns want access to clean energy options. The Community Clean Energy Program will deliver reliable, homegrown, clean energy to participants. This is a win for our communities, a win for our economy, and a win for our climate.”
— Josh Craft, Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs, Utah Clean Energy
###
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.