July 2026 | Vol. 8 Iss. 7
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Community Clean Energy Program ordinance adopted by Millcreek City Council By Alexandra Straumann | a.straumann@mycityjournals.com
Millcreek City Councilmembers discuss joining the Community Clean Energy Program. (Photo credit Millcreek City Council Livestream)
The city will join a collaboration with Rocky Mountain Power to offer 100% clean-net energy to residents.
T
he Millcreek City Council voted to participate in the Community Clean Energy Program, designed by Utah Renewable Communities. Utah Renewable Communities is also known as the Community Renewable Energy Agency, and it works to unite counties, cities and communities in the quest to pursue renewable energy sources. The Clean Energy Program is a partnership between Rocky Mountain Power and 16 communities across Utah, who have committed to working with Rocky Mountain Power to provide the option of net-100% renewable electricity. When the program is adopted by a city, residents that are Rocky Mountain Power customers will be automatically enrolled in the program with the opportunity to opt out. For those who participate, residential
customers can expect to pay an additional $4 a month, and low-income households can participate for free. Nonresidential customers will pay a rate based on the amount of electricity they use each month. On their website, they list the nonresidential rate at $0.00609 per kWh, with an additional low-income surcharge of $0.12 per month. The new billing system is expected to begin in early 2027, with notices alerting residents of the program going out in late 2026. The council heard public comment, and former Mayor Jeff Silvestrini spoke to strongly advocate for the council to join the program, saying “the data shows temperatures are warming across the globe...I think we need to acknowledge it’s time to do something about this. I wonder what future generations will ask if we don’t do what we can now to try and mitigate this problem we have, and this program basically offers action on a meaningful scale.” Other comments echoed the same
sentiments, emphasizing the need to pursue alternative energy sources in order to create a livable future. Millcreek resident Kevin Emerson spoke to the council in support of the program, saying “the program is simple for renters to participate in the clean energy transition. I don’t have the ability to install roof-top solar or do much in the place I live, but I can participate in this way.” An online comment expressed concern over the program being an “opt-out” as opposed to “opt-in,” but Mayor Cheri Jackson clarified that this was a decision made by the legislature and that it can’t be changed. After public comment, Jackson said she has been involved with the program since its inception, working on the program design committee and is now serving on the board of directors. “There has been a lot of thought put into this, and a lot of effort to ensure it is a viable program and that it will actually accomplish the goals that have been set out for it” and that a lot of consideration went in to designing the program, specifically
surrounding affordability. District 2 Councilmember Thom DeSirant explained that if the council did not join the program now, they wouldn’t be allowed to join at a later date, something he called “a frustrating provision by the state legislature.” He added that Ricky Mountain Power has also stated they have no intention of building renewable or clean energy for the next 20 years, making this a critical opportunity for the council to take action. Councilmembers Bev Uipi and Nicole Handy also shared their support for adopting the program, with Uipi emphasizing that the council has given lots of consideration to the program. Following this, the council unanimously voted to adopt Ordinance 26-28, Enacting Title 3, Revenue and Finance Chapter 3.11 to the Millcreek Code of Ordinances, Community Clean Energy Program. If you’d like to learn about the program, you can read more on the Utah Renewable Communities website.l