MINUTES OF THE
PUBLIC UTILITIES, ENERGY, AND TECHNOLOGY INTERIM COMMITTEE
Wednesday, October 16, 2024 • 1:15 p.m. • 220 Senate Building


Members Present:
Sen. David P. Hinkins, Chair
Rep. Carl R. Albrecht, Chair
Sen. Nate Blouin
Sen. Ann Millner
Sen. Derrin R. Owens
Rep. Joel K. Briscoe
Rep. James Cobb
Rep. Ariel Defay
Rep. Colin W. Jack
Rep. Matt MacPherson
Rep. Doug Owens
Rep. Judy Weeks Rohner
Rep. Rex P. Shipp

Members Absent:
Sen. Evan J. Vickers
Rep. Joseph Elison
Rep. Phil Lyman

Staff Present:
Samantha Hermany, Managing Policy Analyst
Scott Elder, Associate General Counsel
Samantha Merrell, Administrative Assistant

Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.
1.Committee Business
Chair Albrecht called the meeting to order at 1:20 p.m.
2.Statutorily Required Report: Energy Balancing Account 1:15 - 1:30PM
2 - Energy Balancing Account (Rocky Mountain Power)
Thom Carter, Vice President of Government Affairs, Rocky Mountain Power, introduced Joelle Steward, Senior Vice President of Regulation, Rocky Mountain Power, who presented on the energy balancing account (EBA), the EBA process, and what Rocky Mountain Power is doing to manage net power costs.
Joelle Steward responded to questions from the committee.
3.Status Report: Green River Energy Center 1:30 - 1:45PM
3 - Green River Energy Center (rPlus Energies)
Theresa Foxley, Chief of Staff, rPlus Energies, and Maile Resta, Communications Director, rPlus Energies, gave an overview of the rPlus Energies company and provided an update on the Green River Energy Center.
Theresa Foxley responded to questions from the committee.
4.Presentation: W2e Technology 1:45 - 2:00PM
4 - W2e Technology
Tony Ferracone, Chief Operating Officer, W2e Technology, and Jil Rich, Chief Engineer, W2e Technology, presented on their company and W2e technology, which is a waste-to-energy recovery system.
Tony Ferracone responded to questions from the committee.
5.Presentation: Grid Enhancing Technologies 2:00 - 2:15PM
5 - Advanced Transmission Technologies in Utah Fact Sheet (Pew Charitable Trust)
Carter Harms, Officer, Energy Modernization Project, Pew Charitable Trust, presented on the need for grid modernization and advanced transmission technologies (ATTs).
Carter Harms responded to comments and questions from the committee.
6.Statutorily Required Report: Grid Resilience Committee 2:15 - 2:30PM
Chris Parker, Director, Division of Public Utilities, gave an overview of the Grid Resilience Committee and stated a formal report with grid resilience recommendations would be published prior to the November 30 deadline.
Chris Parker responded to questions from the committee.
7.Statutorily Required Report: Utility Bill Assistance Program 2:30 - 2:45PM
7 - Utility Bill Assistance Program (Division of Public Utilities)
Chris Parker reported on the status of the Utility Bill Assistance Program.
Chris Parker responded to questions from the committee.
8.Statutorily Required Report: Tax Credits 2:45 - 2:50PM
8 - Tax Credits Report (Office of Energy Development)
Dusty Monks, Interim Director, Office of Energy Development (OED), introduced Luke Voss, Grant Program Manager, OED, who gave an update on the office's tax credit programs.
Luke Voss answered questions from the committee.
Luke Voss continued presenting.
Luke Voss answered questions from the committee.
9.Statutorily Required: Energy Research Grant 2:50 - 3:00PM
9 - Utah Energy Research Grant (OED)
Luke Voss presented on the Utah Energy Research Grant program.
10.Statutorily Required: Strategic Energy Plan 3:00- 3:15PM
10 - Utah's Strategic Energy Plan (OED)
Dusty Monks presented on Utah's Strategic Energy Plan, including the need for the plan and its priorities, goals, and focuses as the state approaches increasing energy needs.
Dusty Monks responded to questions and comments from the committee.
Chair Albrecht offered comment regarding Utah's energy future.
MOTION:Sen. Owens moved to approve the minutes of the September 18, 2024, meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-4.
Yeas - 12Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. C. Albrecht
Sen. N. Blouin
Rep. J. Briscoe
Rep. A. Defay
Sen. D. Hinkins
Rep. C. Jack
Rep. M. MacPherson
Sen. A. Millner
Sen. D. Owens
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. J. Rohner
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. J. Cobb
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. P. Lyman
Sen. E. Vickers
11.Presentation: HiTech Solutions 3:20 - 3:35PM
Chris Hayter, COO, Co-Founder, HiTech Solutions, introduced HiTech Solutions to the committee and gave an overview of the services they provide to build the nuclear energy economy.
Chris Hayter responded to questions from the committee.
12.Energy Education Amendments - Key Points 3:15 - 3:20PM
Rep. Jack presented on his bill, Energy Education Amendments, which will require the Office of Energy Development to develop a K-12 energy education curriculum and professional development training that may be voluntarily used by educators.
Mary Parkinson, Education Director, OED, expanded on Rep. Jack's presentation and explained that they hope to provide educators with resources.
Rep. Jack made a statement about the need to educate the future generation about energy and answered a question from Chair Albrecht.
Mary Parkinson said that this curriculum would be aligned with existing state standards.
13.Recap: Legislator Field Trip to San Rafael Energy Research Center 3:35 - 3:40PM
14.Recap: Legislator Field Trip to White Mesa 3:40 - 3:45PM
The committee discussed the field trips attended by the energy working group.
MOTION:Sen. Owens moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-4.
Yeas - 12Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. C. Albrecht
Sen. N. Blouin
Rep. J. Briscoe
Rep. A. Defay
Sen. D. Hinkins
Rep. C. Jack
Rep. M. MacPherson
Sen. A. Millner
Sen. D. Owens
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. J. Rohner
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. J. Cobb
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. P. Lyman
Sen. E. Vickers
Chair Albrecht adjourned the meeting at 3:45 p.m.