Proposed Resolution - 6/27/2023RESOLUTION NO. ___ OF 2023
(A Resolution of the City Council endorsing the City’s ongoing participation in development of a
community renewable energy program)
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City Corporation (“City”), as a municipal government, is
responsible for promoting the public health and safety of its residents, including access to clean
air, clean water, and a livable environment; and
WHEREAS, energy resources utilized as a municipal government and community
significantly impact public health and safety, including the economic and social well-being of
current and future residents; and
WHEREAS, there is scientific consensus regarding the reality of climate change and the
connection between human activity, especially the combustion of fossil fuels that create
greenhouse gases, and warming of the planet; and
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City is already feeling the effects of climate change locally
through increased temperatures, changes in water systems, extreme weather events, and other
disruptions that threaten our economy, residents, and overall quality of life; and
WHEREAS, the transition to a low-carbon community reliant on the efficient use of
renewable energy resources will provide a range of benefits including improved air quality,
enhanced public health, increased national and energy security, local green jobs, reduced reliance
on finite resources and myriad other positive outcomes; and
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City is committed to helping facilitate this transition alongside
other national and international communities that have prioritized addressing climate change by
investing in clean energy to enhance the well-being of current and future generations; and
WHEREAS, electricity generation has contributed the largest share of Salt Lake City’s
calculated municipal and community greenhouse gas emissions; and
WHEREAS, the on November 1, 2016, the City Council and Mayor adopted a Joint
Resolution stating certain energy commitments, including its goal of ensuring the transition to
100% renewable energy for its community electricity supply by 2032; and
WHEREAS, in 2019, the Utah Legislature adopted the Community Renewable Energy
Act, Utah Code §§ 54-17-901 to -909 (the “Act”) to enable development of a community
renewable energy program; and
WHEREAS, the Act contemplates that a qualified electric utility will file an application
with the Public Service Commission (“PSC”) for approval of a community renewable energy
program to serve any municipality and county that chooses to become a participating community
(each, a “Community”); and
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WHEREAS, the program application must include, among other items, information about
the customers within the boundaries of the Communities, projected rates under the proposed
program, an agreement between each Community and the qualified electric utility (a “Utility
Agreement”), a low-income plan, a proposed solicitation plan for the acquisition of renewable
energy resources, and a draft ordinance that establishes a Community’s participation in the
program, which would only be considered for adoption by each Community following approval
of the application by the PSC (the “Ordinance”); and
WHEREAS, as directed by the Act, the PSC adopted Utah Administrative Rule R746-
314 (the “Rules”) to facilitate implementation of the Act;
WHEREAS, the Rules require that the Communities enter into an agreement that
“establishes a decision-making process for program design, resource solicitation, resource
acquisition, and other program issues and provides a means of ensuring that [the Communities]
will be able to reach a single joint decision on any necessary program issues”; and
WHEREAS, on or about June 28, 2021, the City and the Communities entered into the
Interlocal Cooperation Agreement Among Public Entities Regarding the Community Renewable
Energy Program, outlining a means of ensuring such single joint decisions can be made through
the Community Renewable Energy Agency (“CREA”); and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Dan Dugan represents the City by serving as a Board
Member on the CREA Board and has been appointed by the CREA Board to serve as Chair; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Act, to participate in a community renewable energy
program application, Communities must first adopt a resolution setting forth a 100% renewable
electricity goal by 2030 and subsequently enter into a Utility Agreement with the qualified
electric utility; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the requirements of the Act, on August 27, 2019, the
City Council and Mayor formally adopted a Joint Resolution establishing a “community goal of
achieving an amount equivalent to 100% of the annual electric energy supply for participating
customers from renewable energy resources by 2030”; and
WHEREAS, the City, CREA, the Communities, and the qualified electric utility, Rocky
Mountain Power (“RMP”), have negotiated a Utility Agreement in compliance with the Act; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor, as Chief Executive of the City will sign the Utility Agreement
on behalf of the City, and the City Council supports Councilmember Dan Dugan’s role and
authority to sign on behalf of CREA as the CREA Board Chair; and
WHEREAS, the City, CREA and the Communities have assisted RMP with developing a
community renewable energy program application that meets the requirements of the Act, and
RMP is preparing to finalize the application to the PSC; and
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WHEREAS, at this critical juncture in the process of developing and submitting for
approval a proposed community renewable energy program application, the City Council wishes
to signal its ongoing support for the proposed community renewable energy program application.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, as
follows:
1. The City Council hereby ratifies the City’s ongoing participation in developing
the community renewable energy program application, in conjunction with the
Communities, CREA, and RMP.
2. The City Council hereby demonstrates support of Councilmember Dan Dugan in
executing the Utility Agreement in his role as Chair of the CREA Board.
3. The City Council reserves its rights to separately consider adoption of the
Ordinance.
Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, this _____ day of
___________________, 2023.
SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL
By: ______________________________
Darin Mano, Chair, Salt Lake City Council
Attest:
___________________________
City Recorder
Salt Lake City Attorney’s Office
Approved as to Form:
___________________________
Senior City Attorney
Date: ______________________ June 27, 2023