The Trump administration and a Republican-led Congress recently zapped federal tax credits meant to encourage large-scale wind, solar and battery storage projects.
But a renewable energy advocate says the Beehive State still has a chance to take advantage of the credits -- as long as it gets buzzing.
Utah Clean Energy filed a request with the state’s Public Service Commission late last month urging it to open an “expedited investigatory docket” that would allow energy developers to “fast-track” projects in the narrow window before the tax credits expire.
The group claims the move could potentially save Utah ratepayers billions in long-term energy costs.
“This is a once in a decade opportunity to procure zero-fuel-cost renewable projects at record low prices,” said Sarah Wright, CEO of the nonprofit, in a news release.
The public can submit comments on Utah Clean Energy’s proposal until Friday, Sept. 19 by emailing psc@utah.gov and citing Docket No. 25-035-52.
Tax credits for clean energy projects expire sometime between this month and December 2027, depending on when developers break ground, secure financing and start bringing power to the grid, and whether they use Chinese investments and technology, according to U.S. Treasury guidance.
Utah Clean Energy asserted in its filing that it has contacted “multiple” energy developers who confirmed they have shovel-ready projects which could take advantage of the tax credits, as long as they can move through the state’s public utility proceedings quickly.
Speeding up procurement for solar generation also supports Gov. Spencer Cox’s “Operation Gigawatt” effort to double the state’s energy product in the next decade, Utah Clean Energy said.
“Utah Clean Energy is calling on the Commission and PacifiCorp to initiate a rapid ‘open call’ for new renewable energy projects,” the nonprofit wrote in its news release, “and streamline the approval process.”
Representatives with Rocky Mountain Power, Utah’s largest electrical utility, and PacifiCorp, its parent company, declined to comment.