Utah Clean Energy led a successful effort to protect millions of dollars dedicated to energy efficiency – Utah’s cleanest and cheapest energy resource. As a result, the Utah Public Service Commission approved a settlement agreement that preserves a strong level of funding for Rocky Mountain Power’s energy efficiency (“demand-side management” or “DSM”) programs.

The Commission's order came after Rocky Mountain Power, Utah Clean Energy, and partners (including SWEEP, WRA, the Division of Public Utilities, the Office of Consumer Services, and the Utah Association of Energy Users) finalized negotiations to preserve millions in funding that were under threat of being cut in 2012.

In total, the commission approved $54.2 million in funding for 2012, which is dedicated to funding cost-effective energy efficiency programs. This level of investment in energy efficiency will result in a projected savings of 250,000 megawatt hours, which will prevent the emission of 380,000,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide pollution in 2012.

Utility investment in energy efficiency can meet Utah’s growing energy demand the same way as traditional “generation” resources, such as coal, natural gas, wind, and solar because it prevents the utility from having to build costly new power plants. Sarah Wright, Executive Director of Utah Clean Energy explains, “As an energy resource, energy efficiency is a superior option to any other resources available: it is the cheapest energy resource available, it can be implemented widely with today’s technologies, it is non-polluting, and it creates jobs. Energy efficiency has enormous untapped potential to reduce carbon emissions, increase our energy independence, and put money back in our wallets, all while helping to meet our energy needs right now.”

The settlement also provides for ongoing discussions between parties with the goal of improving the stakeholder advisory process that is a part of developing new energy efficiency programs. “One of the most promising outcomes of this agreement is the parties’ commitment to additional collaboration toward creating a robust and straightforward process for reviewing and implementing new energy efficiency programs to power Utah’s energy needs in the cleanest and cheapest way available today,” says Sophie Hayes, attorney for Utah Clean Energy.