Utah News Dispatch
Request to PacifiCorp to accelerate clean energy developments could save ratepayers millions
Wind turbines generate electricity at an energy development at the foot of the Abajo Mountains near Monticello on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)
Before clean energy tax credits expire under congressional Republicans’ “big, beautiful” law, clean energy advocates are requesting the Utah Public Service Commission to direct PacifiCorp, the parent company of Utah’s largest electricity supplier, to open an expedited procurement process for wind, solar and storage resources.
The process, Utah Clean Energy says, has the potential to save Utahns millions, or even billions of dollars in future energy costs.
“The question isn’t if Utah invests in new energy resources, we know we need to bring on new energy. The real question is how much those investments will cost,” Sarah Wright, CEO of Utah Clean Energy said in a statement. “This is a once in a decade opportunity to procure zero-fuel-cost renewable projects at record low prices.”
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According to the filing, with the passage of the federal spending package, there’s a tight window for PacifiCorp to develop new energy resources with federal tax credits, which would result in substantial cost savings for state ratepayers.
Utah Clean Energy analysts calculated that PacifiCorp’s preferred resource portfolio could save ratepayers 56.8% for solar resources and 55.7% for wind over 25 or 30 years, the estimated lifetime of the assets, if it takes advantage of tax credits.
“In dollars, this amounts to over $150 million of savings for every 100 MW of solar built and over $210 million of savings for every 100 MW of wind built,” the request reads.
The spending package, in addition to new U.S. Treasury Department guidance for clean energy projects eligible for the tax incentives, have created new restrictions and shorter timelines for projects pursuing tax credits. But, developers can still access clean energy production tax credits.
PacifiCorp’s preferred portfolio would have “3181 MW of tax-advantaged solar and 2641 MW of tax-advantaged wind that will reach commercial operation by the early 2030s,” the filing says. The company is planning to start a procurement process in the next four years to reach that deadline.
But, those plans were made before the updated federal legislation, so if the company wants to capture the tax credits, it needs to push the accelerator.
“This is a rare opportunity to invest in needed new energy resources while harnessing homegrown resources that are by far the most cost effective right now,” Wright said in a statement. “These ultra-affordable resources will contribute to Governor Cox’s Operation Gigawatt goal of doubling energy generation over the next 10 years while ensuring Utahns have reliable, affordable clean energy for decades to come.”
The commission opened a request for comment on Utah Clean Energy’s filing that closes on Friday.
