Utility regulatory proceedings have a significant impact on renewable energy and energy efficiency, which is why Utah Clean Energy is actively engaged in this arena advocating for clean energy.  We coordinate with diverse stakeholders on these issues, and we encourage Utah's citizens and businesses to get engaged in this arena. 

• Learn more about the Utility Regulatory process and how to get involved.

The following table summarizes the regulatory proceedings Utah Clean Energy is working on at present. Click here to view archived regulatory proceedings and regulatory successes.

Utah Clean Energy's List of Active Utility Regulatory Proceedings

 Smart Grid & Rate Design Standards (EISA 2007/PURPA)

• Docket No. 08-999-05
• See Utah Clean Energy comments filed in collaboration with partners on this Docket: (Smart Grid comments) and (rate design comments).

What this Docket Addresses:

• This Docket explored how Utah utility companies will meet several requirements laid out in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, including:
  • Rate design (how much customers pay for energy at a given time),
  • Whether Rocky Mountain Power should invest financial resources in Smart Grid technologies,
  • Whether Rocky Mountain Power should develop information resources to facilitate Smart Grid development and advance energy independence, energy efficiency, and renewable energy.
• On December 17, 2009, the Utah Public Service Commission issued its Order on the adoption of the PURPA Smart Grid Standard. The Order is a step in the right direction, adopting one of the two Standards, the "Smart Grid Information Standard," while also providing clear direction that Rocky Mountain Power will need to monitor Smart Grid technology developments more closely.
• On April 29, 2010, the Commission granted an extension to Rocky Mountain Power to complete a report on the Smart Grid Information Standard, which has the potential to add new energy savings to existing utility energy efficiency programs.

Utah Clean Energy's Position:

• Utah Clean Energy advocated for prudent investment in Smart Grid technologies and the development of 'Smart Grid information' resources that inform utility customers about:
  • how their energy usage compares to similar households,
  • the real-time cost of electricity, and
  • what energy resources are used to generate the electricity they consume.

For questions regarding this docket, please contact Kevin Emerson

PacifiCorp’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP)

• Docket No. 09-2035-01
• See Utah Clean Energy's comments filed on this docket.

What This Docket Addresses:

• This Docket addresses PacifiCorp's plans for meeting electricity needs over the next several years.
• Through this docket, PacificCorp and interested stakeholders will develop various energy portfolio possibilities that will be reviewed and subjected to risk-assessment and analysis to determine the optimal (least-cost, least-risk) energy resource mix.

Utah Clean Energy's Position:

• Utah Clean Energy advocates for appropriate valuation of energy efficiency and renewable energy in the IRP process to build more of these resources into the company's mix of resources. More about PacifiCorp's IRP
• Because clean energy resources such as renewable energy and energy efficiency have no fuel costs and are not subject to environmental regulations and associated costs, they mitigate many of the risks associated with carbon based energy resources. 

  For questions regarding this docket, please contact Sophie Hayes.

Rocky Mountain Power Solar Rebate Program

• Dockets: No. 07-035-T14 and No. 11-035-104
• The Public Service Commission has initiated a Solar Incentive Workgroup to determine how an expanded program might be structured.
  Businesses, local governments, and citizens are encouraged to participate!  To get involved, email Sara Baldwin sbaldwin@utahcleanenergy.org
• See All Stakeholder Comments filed on Docket
• See Recent Utah Clean Energy Comments Filed on Docket
• Learn more about the History and Status of the Solar Rebate Program

What this Docket Addresses:

• Examines the Rocky Mountain Power Solar Rebate Pilot Program, which was launched in 2007 and created a $2,000/kilowatt incentive for residential (up to 3 kW) and commercial (up to 15 kW) solar PV (available to Rocky Mountain Power customers only).
• The pilot program was created to provide information regarding customer willingness to invest in solar, ability of solar to meet peak demand, integration of distributed renewable resources, and cost-effectiveness
• Provides an opportunity for stakeholders to review the pilot program and recommend changes.
• A 3-year review of the program was conducted to examine the program for potential changes, expansion, etc. 

Utah Clean Energy's Position:

• Utah Clean Energy recommends expanding the solar incentive program to a larger and more permanent solar rebate program for Rocky Mountain Power customers.
• This incentive helps level the playing field for distributed solar generation, which provides unique benefits to the utility grid and customers.

For questions regarding this docket, contact Sara Baldwin
 

Rocky Mountain Power Energy Cost Adjustment Mechanism (ECAM)

• Docket No. 09-035-15
• See all stakeholder comments Filed on Docket
• See joint testimony from Utah Clean Energy and Western Resource Advocates

What this Docket Addresses:

• Rocky Mountain Power applied to the Public Service Commission for an “Energy Cost Adjustment Mechanism” (ECAM).
• This Docket will impact how the company recovers its net power costs, and may impact how energy efficiency and renewable energy are treated as priority resources.
• Although electricity rates generally only change after formal rate proceedings, the proposed mechanism would adjust rates automatically (either increasing or decreasing rates on an annual basis) to reflect price changes in certain rate components, such as fuel prices.

Utah Clean Energy's Position:

• Utah Clean Energy intervened in the docket because of our concern that the energy cost adjustment mechanism would create an incentive for the utility to bias its resource procurement decisions in favor of fuel burning resources and away from clean energy resources, such as wind, which use no fuel.
• Because energy cost adjustment mechanisms alter resource procurement incentives, Rocky Mountain Power’s ability to recover rates automatically through its ECAM should be contingent upon prudent resource portfolio planning decisions, as informed by the Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) Process.

For more information on our involvement in this docket, please contact Sophie Hayes.

Utility Advisory Groups
Utah Clean Energy participates in Questar Gas’ and Rocky Mountain Power’s demand side management advisory groups that provide advice and research on effective demand side management (DSM) programs and implementation strategies that save energy across the state. Utah Clean Energy advocates for cost-effective and innovative energy efficiency and conservation programs.