This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
As I breathe Salt Lake's filthy and polluted air, I read with amazement that Rocky Mountain Power is seeking approval of: 1) a rate hike, 2) expansion of the Lake Side 2 power plant, and 3) to impose an added fee on those who produce electricity using solar panels or wind turbines ("Rocky Mountain Power asks for 4% rate hike," Tribune, Jan. 6).
This makes no sense. Our air is unbreathable as it is without another power plant being built along the Wasatch Front.
I propose that Rocky Mountain Power be granted a $76.3 million rate increase to be paid only by those individuals and businesses who consume exorbitant amounts of electrical power — the "power hogs."
Instead of expanding the Lake Side 2 plant, RMP should meaningfully promote, not penalize, the use of solar panels, wind turbine generators and more efficient use of electricity such as LED lighting. If enough of us install solar collectors on our homes, we can eliminate the need for additional fossil fuel power plants and perhaps even convince Rocky Mountain Power to close the Gadsby Plant on North Temple, which spews hundreds of tons of pollution into downtown every day.
Marilyn Dillon
Salt Lake City