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Mountains

Energy Affordability

URC is made up of 19 communities now that Midvale has officially joined different cities, towns, and counties working to launch a net-100% renewable electricity option for customers of Rocky Mountain Power in their respective communities.

 

In accordance with Utah law, and to limit the impact of this Program on low- or fixed-income customers, the URC Program was designed to have several unique affordability resources. These resources exist to support residential customers who want to participate in the URC Program, but can’t afford an increase to their monthly electricity bill. These, as well as other existing resources, are outlined on this webpage.

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By law, the Utah Renewable Communities (URC) Program is an opt-out program. This means that Rocky Mountain Power customers in participating communities will be automatically enrolled in the Program, but may opt themselves out if they prefer to not participate. We estimate the average household participating in the Program will pay an extra $2 to $7 per month for renewable energy from resources like wind and solar, depending on their electricity use.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • The Home Electric Lifeline Program (HELP) is a program that provides eligible Rocky Mountain Power customers with discounts on their monthly electric bills. In 2024, the bill credit is $13.95/month. The HELP program is relevant to the Utah Renewable Communities (URC) Program, as those enrolled in HELP, and also participating in URC, will receive an extra monthly bill credit on top of the standard $13.95, in order to help offset the cost of participating in URC. The best way to apply for HELP assistance is actually to fill out the HEAT application, which is the broader utility assistance program that also gives discounts on gas bills. 

  • One impactful way to reduce your home’s energy demand and your subsequent energy bills is through weatherization. Generally speaking, weatherizing a building involves improving the structure’s barrier against the elements, or weather. When a building has a strong barrier, less air escapes from the building, which reduces the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling.

     

    Picture this: if you’re trying to heat or cool your home, but you have poor insulation that is constantly letting air leak outside, it will take much more energy for your HVAC system to adequately heat or cool the interior of your home. However, if your insulation is upgraded, and the air that’s being heated or cooled can remain inside, less energy will be used. Another helpful image is to consider a bucket with a hole in the bottom. If you try to fill that bucket up with water, you’ll be using enormous amounts of water as it leaks through the bottom. If you first patch the hole, and then fill it, the amount of water you use will be much less.

     

    Weatherization techniques can be utilized during new construction, or during retrofits of existing construction. Examples of weatherization techniques include:

        ●  Sealing doors and windows that leak air

        ●  Sealing cracks or gaps around pipes and wiring that leak air

        ●  Improving insulation in walls, floors, ceilings, and attics

        ●  Replacing single-pane windows with more efficient double-pane windows

        ●  Keeping the fireplace flue damper tightly closed when not in use


    You may be eligible for financial assistance to weatherize your home, through the State Weatherization Program. Eligibility includes Utahans whose gross annual household income is at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty, or those who are current HEAT Program participants. Additionally, your household must include at least one adult who is a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen. To read more about eligibility and application information, please visit https://jobs.utah.gov/housing/scso/wap/how.html.

  • If you’re a direct utility customer, your utility bills are in your name (or a member of your household’s name).

     

    ●  Example: John Doe lives at 123 Example Street, and the electricity bills for his house are in his name, and come directly to him, as he is the electricity account holder.

     

    If you’re an indirect utility customer, your utility bills are in another person’s name, typically a landlord or property manager, who then passes those costs onto you through your rent or lease cost.

     

    ●  Example: John Doe lives at 123 Example Street, and the electricity bills are in his landlord’s name, who pays the bill but charges John for the electricity costs as part of his monthly rent.

     

    For purposes of opting out of the Utah Renewable Communities Program, the direct Rocky Mountain Power customer must be the one to opt-out. Additionally, the various utility assistance programs typically require the direct utility customer to be the one applying for funding. If you are an indirect utility customer and have questions about participating in the Utah Renewable Communities Program, or accessing utility assistance funding, we encourage you to coordinate with your landlord or property manager.

Additional Energy Affordability Resources

Although the extra URC Bill Credit will not be available until after the Program application is approved, there are some utility bill assistance programs and energy efficiency incentives that residents can take advantage of right now to help lower their monthly power bill. 
 
The Home Energy Assistance Target (HEAT) Program and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) are income-eligible energy assistance programs administered by different organizations throughout Utah. The Home Energy Lifeline Program (HELP) is another monthly bill assistance program available to income-eligible Rocky Mountain Power Customers. To receive the extra URC bill credit, a household must first be enrolled in HELP.
 
Find more information on each of these energy bill assistance programs below.

Sign Up Now for Bill Credit and Termination Fee Waiver

 

To automatically receive the Utah Renewable Communities bill credit and be eligible for the termination fee waiver when the Program launches, enroll in HELP and HEAT now! Rocky Mountain Power Customers can sign up for these assistance programs at any time, so don’t wait!

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Are you wondering if you live in a community participating in URC? The list of participating communities won’t be finalized until a series of administrative steps are taken and communities each adopt a local ordinance to formally bring the Program to its jurisdiction. However, you can view the list of communities currently participating here: https://www.utahrenewablecommunities.org/communities

Get in Touch

URC and each member community will be conducting outreach to ensure people in their community are aware of the program and their options for opting out or receiving assistance to participate.  As part of this outreach, URC Communities will be providing program information to community organizations, especially those who serve low- or fixed-income community members, in hopes that they can share this information with their clientele as needed.

 

If you are involved with an organization that would like to work with URC on this outreach effort, please contact utahrenewablecommunities@gmail.com

Do you have a question that isn’t answered on this webpage?

Resources Available Only to URC Customers

Extra monthly bill credit

Households that are participating in both the URC Program and Rocky Mountain Power’s HELP bill assistance will receive an extra monthly bill credit to help offset the cost to participate in URC. The credit amount is still being determined, but will stack on the existing $13.95/month HELP bill assistance so that customers can take advantage of both offerings. This extra monthly bill credit will be available once the Program launches. In the meantime, we encourage interested and eligible customers to apply for the HELP program, so that they can automatically receive this additional monthly bill credit upon URC Program approval and launch. The easiest way to apply for HELP funding is to apply for a broader program called HEAT, which includes multiple assistance benefits.

Termination Fee Waiver

By law, the URC Program is an opt-out program, meaning that Rocky Mountain Power customers in participating communities will be automatically enrolled, with the option to exit the Program if they choose. Customers will be charged a $30 termination fee if they opt-out after the initial opt-out window. The dates of this window are still being determined, but notice will be provided to all eligible customers before the Program launches. However, this fee will not be charged to Rocky Mountain Power customers in participating communities who are also enrolled on HELP bill assistance. We encourage interested and eligible customers to apply for HELP bill assistance so they can automatically receive this termination fee waiver if they choose to exit the Program.

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