Justin Thulin rightly warns Utahns about Rocky Mountain Power‘s proposal to raise electric rates for up to ten years to fund a wildfire liability account. What makes this proposal especially troubling is that customers are being asked to absorb growing climate-driven risks without firm guarantees that the utility is changing the very practices that increase those risks.
If ratepayers are expected to underwrite wildfire liability, Rocky Mountain Power must demonstrate that it is aggressively reducing exposure through faster investment in clean energy, storage, and grid resilience — not continuing business as usual. Any approval should be conditioned on clear, enforceable commitments that lower long-term risk and costs.
The good news is that the public still has a voice. The Utah Public Service Commission (PSC) is required to consider public input before approving rate increases. Utahns can submit written comments directly to the PSC by emailing psc@utah.gov or by using the contact information listed at psc.utah.gov/contactus/. Comments should reference the relevant docket number 25-035-61 related to Rocky Mountain Power’s wildfire fund.
Silence will be taken as acceptance. If Utahns want affordable, forward-looking energy policy, now is the time to speak up and urge the PSC to put the public interest first.
Mark Jackson, Millcreek
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