This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The densely populated Wasatch Front has physical space limitations. That is why we need widespread adoption of distributed power generation with rooftop solar to clean up our air. The best way to maximize solar production here is on top of existing buildings because we don't have enough real estate for huge solar farms where it is needed the most. However, there is room in our canyons to install wind farms.
Everyone already pays a connection fee each month to help maintain the grid. Incentivizing solar adoption will save Rocky Mountain Power money in the long run, as fossil fuel energy costs continue to increase.
Penalizing investors in solar panels disempowers the individual wanting to promote change. It is also unfair, just as it would be to tax a home garden because it lowered tax revenue from grocery stores.
Pollution hurts everyone. The choice is up to us as individuals and corporations to show how strongly we value clean air and each other by working together. Incentivizing roof-top solar creation and creating wind farms in our canyons is RMP's most responsible choice along the Wasatch Front.
We are either part of the problem or part of the solution.
Scot Morgan
Salt Lake City