Gov. Spencer Cox has made “energy independence” and “innovation” rallying cries for Utah’s future — and he’s right. Utah’s booming economy can’t thrive without more reliable, affordable power. The good news is that Utah is positioned to lead the West in grid modernization, storage, local generation and cost-effective electrification. But progress will stay stalled as long as Rocky Mountain Power keeps one hand on the brake and the other on Utah’s wallet.
Most Utahns don’t realize that the Public Service Commission of Utah (PSC) is the governing body responsible for enforcing the state’s regulatory compact — the framework that defines how monopoly utilities must operate. In exchange for exclusive control over a service territory, a utility is required to provide reliable power to all customers at fair, regulated rates while investing in the infrastructure needed to support growth. The PSC is the people’s safeguard, ensuring monopoly utilities serve the public good — not their own convenience.
Supporting the PSC is the Utah Division of Public Utilities (DPU). The PSC makes decisions; the DPU investigates. The DPU audits utilities, reviews rate proposals, evaluates grid capacity plans and responds to complaints from customers and municipalities. Together, these bodies are intended to keep Utah’s energy system reliable, affordable and transparent. Yet many communities don’t know they can participate — or that they have the right to file complaints and demand accountability when service fails. That must change.
This system is grounded in Utah Code Title 54 and implemented through the Utah Office of Administrative Rules — including Rule R746, which governs how utilities must behave. Key provisions include:
- R746-1 — Transparency and public participation.
- R746-312 — Fair and nondiscriminatory grid interconnections.
- R746-313 / 314 — System reliability and community renewable energy standards.
- R746-400 / 405 — Mandatory performance reporting, tariffs and documentation.
These rules are designed to ensure monopoly utilities act like public service providers — not gatekeepers deciding who gets power, when and at what cost.
Yet Rocky Mountain Power has increasingly chosen the latter.
This year, the PSC rejected or significantly reduced three separate Rocky Mountain Power rate increase requests. Instead of accepting the ruling, the company sought a rehearing and then appealed to the Utah Supreme Court. A state-protected monopoly is now fighting the very regulator responsible for keeping it in check.
At the same time, Rocky Mountain Power has quietly leveraged its influence with state agencies, policy groups and legislators to maintain Utah’s dependence on its monopoly grid. Rather than expanding capacity to support economic growth, the utility has discouraged alternatives. As a result, developers across the state report being told they cannot power new homes, manufacturing facilities or data-driven industries because “the grid is full.” A growing state can’t be told it must stop growing.
Fortunately, Utah has alternatives. Some of the state’s municipal and cooperative utilities — independent from Rocky Mountain Power — have shown that more responsive, community-based models can be both reliable and innovative. Their track record demonstrates what’s possible when decisions are made closer to the people they affect.
Meanwhile, more than $2 billion in private capital is ready to build energy storage, microgrids and local generation statewide. These projects would support Utah’s rapidly expanding manufacturing, technology, aerospace, defense, clean energy, data center, mining, logistics and housing sectors — creating jobs and strengthening grid resilience. Utahns want to invest in Utah, but Rocky Mountain Power’s policies are slowing that investment and the economic opportunity that comes with it.
How local governments and ratepayers can act
Utahns have more power than they realize. If a city, business or ratepayer believes the utility is failing its obligations, there is a straightforward process:
- Attempt resolution with Rocky Mountain Power.
- If unresolved, file an informal complaint with the DPU.
- If still unresolved, file a formal complaint with the PSC.
Municipalities can also intervene in PSC dockets to request data, challenge delays or push for infrastructure improvements. These tools ensure that communities are not forced to rely solely on the utility’s timeline or goodwill. The process exists so they can act.
What needs to improve
To strengthen Utah’s leadership and protect consumers, the state should pursue:
- Timely, nondiscriminatory interconnection with firm deadlines.
- Fair access for new industrial load and storage projects.
- Binding timelines and consequences for delays.
- Transparent system planning disclosures.
- Automatic PSC review when utility inaction harms communities.
- Stronger public awareness of complaint rights.
- Real penalties — including loss of certification — when monopoly behavior harms Utahns.
These measures are not anti-utility; they are pro-Utah — ensuring that the monopoly Utah permits delivers the service Utah deserves.
Gov. Cox’s vision is correct: Utah can build a resilient, diversified grid that supports economic growth, attracts private investment and empowers communities. But that future requires a utility willing to collaborate rather than obstruct. If Utah wants true innovation — and the billions in investment ready to deliver it — Rocky Mountain Power must become more responsive and accountable to the people it serves.