Community Renewal Energy Act - Utah House Bill 411 (Energy Source)

This page provides a timeline of Council actions regarding the Community Renewable Energy Program (CREP) in reverse chronological order.

November 29, 2022 - Fact-Finding Session

In the Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 29, a fact-finding session will take place to review CREP and the next steps ahead of the Ogden City Council. Before the Community Renewable Energy Program submits its application to the Public Service Commission, the Council would need to approve the following three documents to continue participation in the program.

  • Utility Agreement - The Utility Agreement is between the Community Renewable Energy Agency (CREA) and Rocky Mountain Power (RMP) and would define how CREA and communities would interact with RMP. This includes an outline of day-to-day operations and interactions with CREA, how new resources and Renewable Energy Credits (REC) will be acquired, a description of how program funds will be managed, and addresses noticing costs and requirements.
  • Low-Income Plan - This includes strategies such as an option to opt-out of the program,  an additional monthly bill credit funded through a monthly rider paid by participating customers who are not enrolled in Schedule 3 (Low Income Lifeline Program - Residential Service), and elective donations towards the monthly bill credit by participating customers. The plan also includes collaborations with community non-profits to enhance communication efforts.
  • Model Ordinance - The purpose of the ordinance is to establish the details of the program and outline how residents can expect to interact with it. Adoption of this ordinance would fully commit Ogden City to CREP.


July 2022 - Phase 2 Payment

Ogden City paid $35,737 to the Community Renewable Energy Agency for Phase 2 costs. This payment is the next step for participation in the program. The funds for Phase 2 will be used for legal fees and preliminary expenses for agreements with Rocky Mountain Power, the State of Utah, and the Public Service Commission. 

May 2022 - Community Survey Results

In the May 24 work session, Weber State University’s Center for Community Engaged Learning presented the results from the Community Renewable Energy Program Survey that was conducted in February and March of 2022. The results show that there is some desire and appetite from residents to pay more for renewable energy. This report was not provided to the Council or administration prior to being available to the public. The video of the discussion can be viewed here.

Summer 2021 - Interlocal Cooperation Agreement Approved - Phase 1 Begins

By a vote of 5-2, the Ogden City Council adopted a resolution authorizing an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement for the Community Renewable Energy Program (CREP) on July 13. This allows the City to work with other participating communities, Rocky Mountain Power and other consultants to develop the rate structure. The Council also authorized the expenditure of funds in the amount of $35,738 for the payment of the Phase 1 costs.

Phase 1 consists primarily of a study to determine the cost of the program to residents and businesses. Depending on the results of the study and potential impact, the Council will consider final participation in the program sometime in early 2022.

In the meeting of August 3, Council Member Angela Choberka was appointed to the CREP Board. Management Services Director Mara Brown was appointed to the Board as an alternate.

As always, Council Members can be reached individually using the contact information found at ogdencity.com/councilmembers. All correspondence sent to citycouncil@ogdencity.com and the 801-629-8158 hotline are forwarded directly to the Council.

About HB 411:

During the 2019 General Session, the Utah Legislature adopted the Community Renewable Energy Act (HB 411). This was created to provide cities with mechanisms to establish and achieve a community goal to source net-100% of electric energy from renewable resources by 2030. Through this legislation, cities have the option to collaborate with Rocky Mountain Power to accomplish this goal.

On June 26, 2019, the City Council sent a letter to the Natural Resources and Sustainability Stewardship Committee requesting a recommendation relative to the Community Renewal Energy Act program. After three meeting discussions and presentation on the topic. during its meeting on September 26, 2019, the committee unanimously recommended that the city adopt a resolution for approval.

With a 5-2 vote, the City Council adopted a joint resolution with Mayor Caldwell on December 3, 2019 to begin the initial steps to pursue participation in the Community Renewable Energy Act. This action does not commit the city to full program participation, but allowed the city to gain more information, that is currently available, to make a more informed decision about the Community Renewable Energy Act.

The adoption of a resolution is the first of several steps required for the city to participate in the Community Renewable Energy Act. Adopting a resolution allows the city to enter into an agreement with Rocky Mountain Power, and the city can opt-out from participating in the program various points of this process. If the program is ultimately adopted by ordinance, all Rocky Mountain Power customers will initially be automatically enrolled in the program, with the option to opt-out of the program without penalty during the first three billing cycles of the rate change. If it is instead determined that the program is cost-prohibitive or will not work well for the city for other reasons, the adopted resolution outlines that the city will continue to pursue a goal of net-100% renewable energy through a different approach.

Requirements for Participation:

Participation in the Community Renewable Energy Act (HB 411) includes:

  • Adoption of a city resolution by December 31, 2019;
  • Initial agreement between Rocky Mountain Power and Ogden City to develop guidelines with other participating jurisdictions;
  • Completion of a study based on partnership guidelines and determination of prospective rates
  • Submitting an application to the Utah Public Service Commission; and
  • Upon approval, consideration of an ordinance to define program guidelines.

 Partners:

  • Utah Public Service Commission
  • Rocky Mountain Power
  • Other participating communities

Documentation and Presentations:

  • November 1, 2022 - Work Session Presentation (Facebook Video 37:37, PDF)

  • November 1, 2022 - Work Session Staff Review (PDF)

  • July 13, 2021 - Council Staff Presentation (Facebook Video/YouTube Video)

  • July 13, 2021 - Council Staff Presentation (PDF)

  • July 13, 2021 - Council Staff Review (PDF)

  • November 17, 2020 - Work Session Presentation (Facebook Video Part 1, Part 2)

  • November 17, 2020 - Work Session Presentation (PDF)

  • November 17, 2020 - Council Staff Review (PDF)

  • December 3, 2019 - Council Staff Review (PDF)

  • December 3, 2019 - Council Meeting Presentation (PDF)
  • December 3, 2019 - Council Meeting Presentation (Facebook Video/YouTube Video)
  • November 19, 2019 - Council Staff Review (PDF)
  • October 1, 2019 - Council Staff Review (PDF)
  • October 1, 2019 - Work Session Presentation (PDF)

Project Timeline:

HB411 Project Timeline