Latest news with #RockyMountainPower
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
For this Salt Lake City building, energy efficiency, decarbonization are essential to function
Kevin Emerson, director of building efficiency and decarbonization for Utah Clean Energy, gives a tour of the organization's Climate Innovation Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) When they're out of the office, the Utah Clean Energy staff is often found in energy hearings, discussing policy with Utah leaders and advocating for more sustainable solutions to power the state. At their headquarters, on a small scale, they show how it's done. With the Climate Innovation Center, inaugurated in Salt Lake City last summer, the nonprofit not only searched for a facility that reflected its decarbonization efforts, but one that would create 'a teaching tool and living laboratory,' inviting Utahns to watch the workings of a real-life, ultra-efficient, zero-emissions building. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX After receiving many industry professionals to showcase the two-story building, with its extensive solar panels and a room with a battery to make intermittent energy available day and night, the organization opened its doors for the first time to the public for an open house on Friday. 'The building is meant to be a model of how we can eliminate emissions from operating the building,' Kevin Emerson, director of building efficiency and decarbonization at Utah Clean Energy said on Friday. 'So there's zero emissions that come from running the building. It's all electric and all solar powered.' Not only does the center produce enough energy to power its operations and even electric vehicles in its parking lot with about 39 kilowatts of solar capacity, but it has the ability to help utilities optimize their operations with a 90 kilowatt hours capacity battery. That battery, sitting in a small room alongside a heat pump water heater, is part of Rocky Mountain Power's Wattsmart batteries program, which pays users to incorporate their energy storage into the utility's smart power grid. 'We think it's important for our building to be kind of a flexible, interactive, kind of extension of the grid,' Emerson said. 'And because ultimately, we want that to be a standard practice, where batteries are located across the electric grid to incorporate more effectively all the renewable energy that you will keep adding.' Additionally, there's no gas combustion in the premises. All water features use conservation systems and even the washer and dryer machine installed in the janitor's closet uses a heat pump. Outside, the small garden in the facade is highly drought tolerant, full of native and pollinator-friendly plants, as well. Buildings play a big role in carbon emissions, Emerson told the group of climate and technology enthusiasts who showed up for the tour. According to the environmental nonprofit Architecture 2030, about 40% of carbon emissions come from built environments, either from its operations, or the pollution brought by construction activity itself, including mining, extraction, transportation and manufacturing materials. That's why, Emerson said, during the construction process, the team meticulously chose materials with smaller carbon footprints — from the carpets to the countertops and tiles. Embarking in this project saved emissions by opting to preserve many of the features of the building that sat in the lot prior to the nonprofit's arrival — and also, the staff repurposed wood pieces from the organization's previous headquarters for this building. A lot of the center's energy efficiency comes from its insulation, as well, with contractors paying special attention to a correct airtight construction, Emerson said. Another team also supervised the space's variable refrigerant flow heat pump, essentially a mechanical system that works like a large air conditioning unit that can provide cooling when it's warm, and work in reverse to extract warmth out of the air, even on cold winter days. The organization's next step is to document all of these features by pursuing third-party certifications for the building, including a zero energy validation, focusing on the emissions it is not producing, and a zero carbon one to certify the materials used in retrofitting the space. All of those lessons learned while designing and executing the building were included into a website, so others can incorporate non-polluting practices in new constructions or renovations. 'One of the goals that Utah Clean Energy has is to help all the folks involved in construction across the state realize that building zero emissions as a standard practice is possible,' Emerson added. 'And that's our vision, is that zero emission buildings become a standard practice here in Utah that supports energy affordability.' Hopefully, he said, more buildings become a big part of solutions for climate and better air quality days in Utah. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Utah commission chairman defends approval of Rocky Mountain Power 4.7% rate increase
The chairman of a commission that approves utility rate adjustments across the state says the board only awarded a portion of Rocky Mountain Power's proposed rate increase because some of the company's woes were 'the result of their own actions.' The board allowed the state's largest power provider to collect a revenue increase of $87.2 million, which amounts to a 3.8% to 4.7% increase for the average customer, late last month. Rocky Mountain Power, which initially requested a 30% rate increase before cutting it down to 18%, still has a few days left to request a rehearing before those changes go into effect. The decision largely had to do with an issue with Utahns paying for problems the provider and its parent company have had outside of the state, as well as a failure from the company to provide evidence of benefits with other projects tied to the proposal, said Jerry Fenn, chairman of the Utah Public Service Commission. 'Do we want Rocky Mountain Power to be successful and earn a reasonable rate of return on their investment? Yes, but we also want to protect ratepayers from what we think are unjust and (unreasonable) rate increases,' he said. Fenn defended the board's April 25 decision during a presentation to members of the Utah Legislature's Public Utilities, Energy and Technology Interim Committee on Wednesday. The committee requested an update on the situation, which drew plenty of attention last year, as well as ire from the Utah Legislature. Rocky Mountain Power officials explained that inflation, since its previous rate increase in 2020, has resulted in increased costs to fuel power plants and to purchase wholesale power rates. At the same time, they planned to use increases to help offset rising insurance rates and fund capital investment projects, such as completing a 400-mile transmission line into central Utah. 'We go out and spend money on behalf of customers to make investments to provide an essential service,' Rocky Mountain Power President Dick Garlish told lawmakers last year. Its initial request called for a revenue increase of $667.3 million, or a 30% rate increase spread out between 2025 and 2026. Gov. Spencer Cox and other state leaders were critical of the proposal. The governor called it 'completely unacceptable,' while representatives questioned how massive wildfire settlements made by Rocky Mountain Power's parent company, PacifiCorp, factored into the equation. Rocky Mountain Power also provides energy in Idaho and Wyoming, while PacifiCorp also has dealings in parts of California, Oregon and Washington. The company has paid over $1 billion in various wildfire-related settlements, many of which came from wildfires ignited by power lines in Oregon five years ago. Lawmakers argued that residents shouldn't be forced to pay for issues in other states. Rocky Mountain Power later reduced its revenue request to $393.7 million, which would have been an 18.1% rate increase in 2025 with no subsequent increase in 2026, following the early feedback. The request quickly became one of the more closely followed proposals to end up in front of the Public Service Commission, Fenn said on Wednesday. The board sifted through the arguments from both sides, as well as thousands of written or verbal public comments. Commissioners also held two public hearings on the matter, one of which was held in Cedar City, which is 'unusual' for the board, he pointed out. The board ultimately decided that the 18% request wasn't 'prudent' enough to pass along to the customer. 'At the end of the day, we concluded ... that Rocky Mountain Power's models provided a growth rate that was greater than the growth rate of the economy,' he said. 'We really didn't think you could grow greater than GDP (gross domestic product).' The board also believed it was 'unreasonable' for Utah customers to pay for company issues happening outside of Utah, such as wildfire settlements and capital projects in other states, Fenn added, referencing a class-action lawsuit in Oregon. A jury there found PacifiCorp liable for negligence tied to wildfires in 2020, the Statesman Journal reported in 2023. The company is appealing that ruling. What the commission ultimately approved is expected to result in a monthly increase of $4.31 for the average residential customer, who consumes 700 kilowatt-hours per month, or $3.31 per month for the average multifamily dwelling. Members of the legislative committee lauded the board for how it handled the process. 'I really appreciate you guys sticking up for us,' said Sen. David Hinkins, R-Orangeville. The company still has time to formally request a rehearing, which is required in the appeal process, Fenn said. He expects the request will be filed. He said the request must be filed by Sunday, but Rocky Mountain Power officials say it's Tuesday because of the weekend and the Monday holiday. Jonathan Whitesides, a spokesman for the company, declined to say whether it would request reconsideration, other than that a denied request could spark a judicial review with the Utah Supreme Court. He said earlier this month that the company was still reviewing its options. He added that the company was still 'committed' to wildfire mitigation, despite the lower rate increases. 'It's going to be a challenge, but we're going to continue forward with the projects we've got going on (and) operational practices,' he said on May 6.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Car crashes into power poles, knocks out power in Layton for nearly 1K people
LAYTON, Utah () — More than 950 people lost power in Layton on Monday after a car reportedly crashed into several power poles. The outage continued for several hours, and some officials said it may last well into the night. Layton Police first reported that the intersection at Fairfield and Gentile was '' around 6:30 p.m. on May 19. The closure impacted 1000 East Gentile to Fairfield, and police advised drivers to avoid the area. Lt. Travis Lyman with Layton PD told that only one driver and one vehicle were involved in the incident. Lyman said the driver reportedly lost control of their vehicle and crashed into three power poles, causing the power outage in the area. Lyman said that speed was a factor in the crash, and said the poles that the driver crashed into were 'severed.' When first responders arrived at the scene, Lyman said live wires were on the ground. Lyman said crews with Rocky Mountain Power were on the scene after the crash. As of late Monday night, estimated power would be restored by 1:30 a.m. on May 20. That driver was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. There is no further information at this time. Whether the outage is planned or not, Rocky Mountain Power offers some guidelines and tips to prepare for a power outage. Safety and preparedness resources have been compiled by Rocky Mountain Power and can be found . Some items that Rocky Mountain Power suggests to keep in an emergency kit are listed below: Water Have one gallon per person, per day Non-perishable food For both people and pets First aid kit and essential medications Copies of important family documents Cash Blankets Rocky Mountain Power's comprehensive emergency preparedness list is available online. Abigail Jones contributed to this report. New footage released of deadly St. George crash involving 92-year-old woman Herriman neighbors concerned about road safety conditions on Gina Road SALT Caucus, GOP leaders emerge from late-night meeting without crucial deal Car crashes into power poles, knocks out power in Layton for nearly 1K people Salt Lake City schools offer summer meal programs to children Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
More than 14K customers without power in Salt Lake County
SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah () — More than14,000 people lost power across Salt Lake County on Monday, according to . As of about 4 p.m. on May 12, reported 109 power outages affecting a total of 14,030 customers. Crews have been notified of most of the outages, according to the outage map, and the cause of the outages is under investigation. Power is expected to be restored later this evening, with some outages expected to be restored around 6:30 p.m. and others as late as 10:30 p.m. The outage caused Thanksgiving Mass at the Cathedral of the Madeline to be canceled and rescheduled for May 19, according to the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City. The mass was scheduled to celebrate the election of Pope Leo XIV. is working to learn more about the situation. Whether the outage is planned or not, Rocky Mountain Power offers some guidelines and tips to prepare for a power outage. Safety and preparedness resources have been compiled by Rocky Mountain Power and can be found . Some items that Rocky Mountain Power suggests to keep in an emergency kit are listed below: Water Have one gallon per person, per day Non-perishable food For both people and pets First aid kit and essential medications Copies of important family documents Cash Blankets Rocky Mountain Power's comprehensive emergency preparedness list is available online. 9-year-old dead after golf cart crash in St. George Trump's Middle East trip: 5 things to watch 17-year-old killed in motorcycle crash in American Fork Canyon SILVER ALERT: 64-year-old man last seen in West Jordan missing since Tuesday More than 14K customers without power in Salt Lake County Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Environmentalists argue PacifiCorp's wildfire liability burden is fueled by coal-protecting bills
Coal is stored outside the Hunter coal-fired power plant, operated by PacifiCorp, in Emery County on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) When Berkshire Hathaway bought PacifiCorp — Rocky Mountain Power's parent company — in 2005, stakeholders didn't consider the losses future devastating wildfires in the West would bring. It was a mistake to keep PacifiCorp's structure and not carve it up into the states that comprise the utility, Warren Buffett, CEO and chair of the conglomerate, said during an annual stakeholder meeting last weekend in Omaha. 'There are some problems that can't be solved, and we shouldn't be in the business of taking your money, investor money, and tackling things that we don't know the solution for,' Buffett said, explaining that these risks are often political decisions, since they deal with states or the federal government. 'And if you're in something where you're going to lose, the big thing to do is quit,' he added. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX It's important that the country has a smart energy policy, Buffett said. During historical emergency times, like World War II, there was collaboration between the private and public sector. How does that work in today's democracy? He's uncertain. A group of Utahns, joined by environmental activists from other Western states, attended the meeting to try to speak with stakeholders about the effects of burning fossil fuels — including the proliferation of wildfires. They watched as Buffett's comments unfolded, just days after Utah's Public Service Commission rejected an 18% residential rate increase proposed by Rocky Mountain Power attributed to rising prices of fuel and wildfire liability. 'All of these costs are driven by Rocky Mountain Power's reliance on fossil fuels, which is a majority of its energy mix in Utah,' the Sierra Club wrote in a release, arguing that coal reliance may have been empowered by SB224, which passed the Utah Legislature in 2024 establishing a $1 billion fund to allow the state to self-insure in case of fire events caused by electrical corporations. Meanwhile, Rocky Mountain Power has also indefinitely extended the life of its coal-powered plants in its long-term resource planning. PacifiCorp extends the life of Utah coal-powered plants — indefinitely One of the Utahns attending the meeting was Luis Miranda, senior organizer with Sierra Club's Beyond Coal campaign, who said the organized opposition had a tough goal during the meeting — to ask stakeholders 'to remove climate risk from their portfolio by decarbonizing their grid.' 'Using the opportunity afforded by clean energy, that should resolve a lot of the problems being caused by climate change, which they feel is an unchangeable issue,' he said. Greg Abel, chair of Berkshire Hathaway Energy and named successor of Buffett, however, defended the use of fossil fuels during the meeting, arguing that the company has to follow state policies. While people would like to see coal plants retired, the reality is that the company still needs them to keep the system stable and rates low, Abel said. Wildfires are intensifying and, with them, the insurance risks the company is absorbing. Abel said that the company has learned from its mistakes and it is switching priorities to protect its assets, like de-energizing when a fire is approaching its equipment — which means the lights may not be kept on during these emergencies anymore. One thing is certain, Abel said: 'We can't just become the insurer of last resort, and that we're going to cover any costs and all costs, irrespective of what occurred. And that's a little bit of the situation we're in right now.' This isn't the first time Berkshire Hathaway leaders have questioned the place of private enterprises in public utilities. Buffett has notably suggested he would be interested in selling the utility, saying 'we're not going to throw good money after bad,' when speaking on the conglomerate's demand for protections against liability from the government. PacifiCorp involved in bills in Oregon, western states, limiting utility wildfire liability, damages Now, after a lawsuit over the massive 2020 Oregon wildfires, the company is now asking every legislature where it operates to get a clear definition of its liability. An example, cited by Abel in the past, is Utah's SB224, which also limits the amount of money a person physically injured by a wildfire can sue for to $450,000, and $100,000 for those who aren't physically injured. For Miranda, from the Sierra Club, listening to the meeting left him worried about what could happen for his utility bills as a Rocky Mountain Power customer. Also what could the lasting burning of coal may mean for his community's public health? 'I have to live with those consequences. These folks do not care about our experience, about how much we are paying and about how we're living with the consequences of burning unaffordable, dirty coal,' Miranda said. 'Is this really the company and the incentive structure in which we are going to put our trust on?' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
