Petitions to intervene are due by July 15 in Rocky Mountain Power’s filing (Docket No. 16-035-T09) with the Utah Public Service Commission (UPSC) – designed to offer large customers who move in or expand in Utah another option to use renewable energy.
The proposed Renewable Energy Tariff is part of the Sustainable Transportation and Energy Plan (STEP) legislation passed by the Utah Legislature in 2016 and provides greater opportunities for large customers who would like to get electricity from renewable energy sources.
“The Renewable Energy Tariff is an opportunity to bring more renewable energy to Utah for the large customers that want it and are willing to pay for it,” said utility President Cindy Crane.
The tariff would provide large customers – using at least 5,000 kilowatts (kW) of annual peak load – with the option to enter into a power purchase agreement with Rocky Mountain Power for renewable energy. A customer may aggregate multiple metered delivery points under a single corporate entity to satisfy the 5,000 kW threshold, based on annual peak load at each delivery point.
Annual peak load will be based on the customer’s highest demand reading during the prior 12-month period or its reasonably projected Demand including planned load expansions in the subsequent 12-month period. For new customers, annual peak load will be based on a reasonably projected demand to be reached over a period to be specified by contract The UPSC would have ultimate control whether or not to approve each contract.
“Large energy users are becoming increasingly sophisticated and often have company goals to receive their energy that is derived from renewable sources,” said Joelle Steward, Rocky Mountain Power director of Rates and Regulatory Affairs, in the filing. “Providing customers with this choice might be the deciding factor to attract prospective customers to locate in the company’s service territory or to retain and expand opportunities for current customers.”
