Rocky Mountain Power customers in 16 participating Utah communities will be automatically enrolled in a new clean energy program beginning Jan. 1, 2027, according to the Utah Renewable Communities coalition. The program will introduce monthly charges to residential and business bills to fund the development of renewable energy resources on the state's power grid.
The Utah Community Clean Energy Program (CCEP) was established following the passage of the Community Renewable Energy Act in 2019. The Utah Public Service Commission approved the implementation of the program in March 2026, providing a mechanism for local governments to support the expansion of renewable energy resources. According to Utah Renewable Communities, the program's long-term objective is to add enough clean energy to the grid to match the annual electricity consumption of participating customers, potentially reaching net-100% renewable electricity.
Participating communities include Alta, Castle Valley, Francis, Emigration Canyon, Holladay, Midvale, Millcreek, Moab, Oakley, Ogden, Park City, Salt Lake City, Springdale, and unincorporated areas within Grand, Salt Lake, and Summit counties. Dan Dugan, a Salt Lake City Council member and board chair of Utah Renewable Communities, stated that by pooling the collective purchasing power of these 16 communities, the coalition is driving the development of new renewable energy projects within the state on Rocky Mountain Power's grid.
Starting Jan. 1, 2027, residential customers who remain enrolled in the program will see a $4 monthly charge added to their Rocky Mountain Power bills. Non-residential business customers will face an additional $0.00609 per kilowatt-hour plus a $0.12 monthly fee, which the coalition estimates will increase business bills by 4% to 9%.
Residential rooftop-solar customers on net-metering Schedule 135 are ineligible for the program, while those on schedules 136 and 137 will be automatically enrolled, according to Rocky Mountain Power. For renters, the decision to participate rests with the Rocky Mountain Power account holder.
Income-qualified customers enrolled in the Home Electric Lifeline Program (HELP) will receive a credit covering the monthly program charge and are exempt from all exit fees. According to Utah Renewable Communities, customers enrolled in the Home Energy Assistance Target (HEAT) program are automatically enrolled in HELP.
Customers wishing to avoid the program charges must opt out by Dec. 31, 2026. Rocky Mountain Power will send postal mail and email notifications to residential and non-residential customers in the 16 participating communities during November 2026 to provide instructions on how to opt out and what to expect from continued participation.
While customers can exit the program at any time, the fee structure changes after a specific window. Between Nov. 2, 2026, and May 1, 2027, there is no cost to exit the program. However, beginning May 2, 2027, residential and small business customers will be charged a $30 termination fee to exit. For non-residential customers, exit fees after May 2, 2027, will vary based on current power usage.
The program's revenue will be used to cover startup and administrative costs, reserves, and low-income assistance before new energy projects are fully operational. The coalition's board selected two solar projects for final contract negotiations in September 2026, and these resources are expected to connect to the grid between 2028 and 2030.
In Grand County, which includes Moab, Castle Valley, and unincorporated areas, a January 2025 regulatory filing identified 7,440 Rocky Mountain Power customers. Alexi Lamm, Moab’s strategic initiatives and sustainability director, noted that program details and opt-out information are available through Rocky Mountain Power's website.
Moab City Councilor Miles Loftin credited the launch to seven years of work by participating communities. "I'm proud to have helped bring this critical investment in renewable energy to the City of Moab and 15 other communities across Utah," Loftin said in a statement.
Long-term Grid Impact
The development of the CCEP could eventually add half a gigawatt of new clean energy to the electric grid. This expansion aims to benefit the local economy and strengthen energy reliability by reducing fossil fuel dependence and improving air quality.
As reported by Moab Times, program rates may change no more than once per year, subject to approval by the Utah Public Service Commission.
