Building the Program: The URC Program Application Approval Process
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Since its formation, URC has been working with Rocky Mountain Power to develop the URC Program Application: a collection of documents that describe how the Program will work, including how much it will cost, when it will launch, who will be eligible, and more. As required by the Community Clean Energy Act, the Program Application must be approved by the Utah Public Service Commission before the URC Program can begin.
As of June 2025, the Program Application was fully submitted to the Utah Public Service Commission for review. From July through December 2025, representatives of URC, Rocky Mountain Power, and other organizations submitted testimony to the PSC to state their positions on the program and its elements.
On December 16, 2025, the Public Service Commission held two important hearings on the Program Application: A Technical Hearing and a Public Witness Hearing. These hearings gave both experts and community members a chance to speak directly with commissioners, sharing their thoughts on the program before a final decision is made.
Technical Hearing
Over December 16-17, intervening parties spent nearly 12 hours diving into the details during the Technical Hearing. There were 12 witnesses heard across the five parties (URC, Rocky Mountain Power, Western Resource Advocates, Sierra Club, Division of Public Utilities, and Office of Consumer Services). Each witness provided a summary of their testimony filed to date and was made available for cross-examination. Witnesses were on the stand between 20 minutes and3 hours each.
The witnesses discussed their different views on key program elements, including program rates, administrative costs, timing, and how program resources (like utility scale solar and wind) would be valued.
SLC Council Member Dan Dugan, former Millcreek Mayor Jeff Silvestrini, SLC staff member Christopher Thomas, and Energy Strategies consultant Kevin Higgins testified in support of URC.
Overall, URC representatives and legal counsel did an excellent job at the Technical Hearing. We are proud and appreciative of the work these individuals and our 19 communities have done to make it to this pivotal moment.
Public Witness Hearing
On the evening of December 16th, the hearing room was filled with community members who showed up for the Public Witness Hearing. Around 50 Utahns were there in person and over 20 more joined online.
For nearly two hours, elected officials, URC Board representatives, and members of the public delivered comments, speaking directly to commissioners about what the URC Program means to them. The overwhelming support for the program was a clear reminder of why we are doing this work: because Utahns care about their communities and want a healthier, more resilient home for their families and for generations to come.
Up Next
The PSC could issue a decision within 30 days of the hearings, with a final ruling expected between January and March 2026.
If approved, the 19 URC communities will have 90 days to pass an ordinance to solidify their participation in the Program when it launches.
Recordings of the hearings and all the Program Application filings, including application documents, testimony, and public comments, can be found on the Utah Public Service Commission website under Docket No. 25-035-06.