Cottonwood Heights debates joining Utah Renewable Communities (URC) vs. Rocky Mountain Power Blue Sky option
February 04, 2026 | Cottonwood Heights, Salt Lake County, Utah
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Councilmember Sean Miller opened a Feb. 3 discussion asking why the city should enroll residents in the Utah Renewable Communities (URC) program when Rocky Mountain Power already offers a voluntary Blue Sky program. Emily Quinton, Summit County sustainability director and URC board secretary, briefed the council on the URC design and timeline.
Quinton said URC is a coalition of 19 communities working with Rocky Mountain Power to bring new utility‑scale clean energy online. "Customers would be automatically enrolled with the option to opt out," she said, and the board has targeted a program cost of about $3–$4 per month for the average household. Quinton also said qualifying low‑income customers would receive monthly bill credits to offset participation costs and that an ordinance would be adopted within 90 days of Public Service Commission approval.
Councilmembers raised several concerns. Councilmember Newell asked whether involuntary enrollment could lead to escalating costs for residents if many opt out and whether residents already have access to a similar voluntary Blue Sky option. "If people opt out, does the rest of the folks that are still in the program pick up that cost?" Newell asked. Quinton replied that URC planners anticipate an annual rate adjustment (not a full reset) and described strategies to avoid a rate shock, including bringing new resources online incrementally and a planned initial opt‑out period.
Councilmember Hyland pressed whether a participating community could later exit the program if costs became burdensome; Quinton said there is not a clearly defined community "off‑ramp" in the draft ordinance and she would confirm the legal details with URC counsel. Other council members emphasized the city's prior resolutions supporting renewable goals and urged balancing climate benefits against potential financial burdens for low‑income households.
No ordinance was adopted at the meeting; staff and URC representatives said they would provide the draft ordinance, clarify annual adjustment mechanisms, and follow up on whether a post‑adoption exit mechanism exists.
Quinton said URC is a coalition of 19 communities working with Rocky Mountain Power to bring new utility‑scale clean energy online. "Customers would be automatically enrolled with the option to opt out," she said, and the board has targeted a program cost of about $3–$4 per month for the average household. Quinton also said qualifying low‑income customers would receive monthly bill credits to offset participation costs and that an ordinance would be adopted within 90 days of Public Service Commission approval.
Councilmembers raised several concerns. Councilmember Newell asked whether involuntary enrollment could lead to escalating costs for residents if many opt out and whether residents already have access to a similar voluntary Blue Sky option. "If people opt out, does the rest of the folks that are still in the program pick up that cost?" Newell asked. Quinton replied that URC planners anticipate an annual rate adjustment (not a full reset) and described strategies to avoid a rate shock, including bringing new resources online incrementally and a planned initial opt‑out period.
Councilmember Hyland pressed whether a participating community could later exit the program if costs became burdensome; Quinton said there is not a clearly defined community "off‑ramp" in the draft ordinance and she would confirm the legal details with URC counsel. Other council members emphasized the city's prior resolutions supporting renewable goals and urged balancing climate benefits against potential financial burdens for low‑income households.
No ordinance was adopted at the meeting; staff and URC representatives said they would provide the draft ordinance, clarify annual adjustment mechanisms, and follow up on whether a post‑adoption exit mechanism exists.
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