Electricity costs for Utahns could go up under proposed bill [Video]

A bill moving through the Utah Legislature would give Rocky Mountain Power a powerful incentive to keep its coal plants in the state running: Utah customers would assume the costs and risks.

SB224, from Sen. Scott Sandall, R-Tremonton, would direct the Utah Public Service Commission to use a specific new criteria when evaluating costs of “proven dispatchable generation assets” such as the two Emery County coal plants.

It gives Rocky Mountain greater latitude to pass on costs of maintaining and fueling the plants, even if keeping them running is more expensive than other sources. It even allows the utility to put legal costs on Utah ratepayers if it fights in court to keep the plants open.

In recent testimony before a Senate committee, Sandall said it was a necessary incentive to keep the power company in the coal game.

The measure “makes it clear when utilities take actions necessary to …