Salt Lake City — Utah Renewable Communities (URC) is pleased to announce the submission of a grant application for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Climate Pollution Reduction Implementation Grants (CPRG). The grant, if awarded, will support the launch of a groundbreaking renewable electricity program aimed at significantly reducing carbon emissions and promoting clean energy development across Utah.
Salt Lake City, on behalf of URC, submitted an application to the CPRG program on April 1 requesting $49.6 million to fund its program. The EPA expects to let applicants know in June or July of 2024 of potential awards.
URC is a collection of 18 Utah towns, cities, and counties that have been working to develop a default net-100% renewable electricity option for Rocky Mountain Power customers in their respective communities. This program is one of the first of its kind in the country.
“The URC program offers one of the only paths forward in Utah for significant utility-scale clean energy development over the coming years,” said Dan Dugan, Salt Lake City Council Member and URC Chair. “If awarded, this grant will play a crucial role in facilitating the launch of the program.”
An award from the EPA would cover roughly half of the program’s new clean electricity acquisition target in 2027 and the first five years of administration costs, thereby lowering the program rate for participating customers. It would also include three sub-awards for URC Navigators in communities with Low-Income/Disadvantaged Communities (LIDAC) to assist with community outreach in these priority areas.
“As one of the fastest warming areas in the U.S., Moab is committed to supporting a climate that is healthy for our natural systems and communities,” said Alexi Lamm, Moab Sustainability Director. “If awarded this grant, Moab would host a URC Navigator to assist residents of our city, Castle Valley, and participating areas of Grand County.”
Senator Mitt Romney, Congressman Blake Moore, and Congressman John Curtis have issued a joint letter to the EPA, urging their full and fair consideration of the application. Rocky Mountain Power and member communities of URC have also expressed their support for the grant.
“URC is 100% committed to clean energy for Utah,” said Angela Choberka, Ogden Council Member and URC Vice Chair. “We will continue to inform and empower our communities to be the change for a sustainable tomorrow, and welcome the opportunity to host a URC Navigator serving Ogden through Weber State, if awarded this grant.”
For more information, please visit www.utahrenewablecommunities.org.
For interviews with URC experts or questions, please contact:
Abby Shemwell
Penna Powers on behalf of Utah Renewable Communities
801.674.7636