UTAH ASSOCIATION OF ENERGY USERS
WHO WE ARE
UAE provides a wide range of regulatory services to its members to keep electricity and natural gas rates affordable for the organization's members, many of whom compete globally. UAE is actively involved in the representation of industrial customers before the Utah Legislature and Public Utilities Commissions. The organization provides expert testimony in utility proceedings for Rocky Mountain Power (PacifiCorp) and Enbridge Gas Company on electricity issues and natural gas issues, including gas transportation.
At the regional and federal levels, UAE provides leadership and intervention on behalf of its members before the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) - the electric reliability council in the West - and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). On policy issues, UAE works to support our members' overall policy plans by resolving issues with administrative, legislative, and regulatory entities. UAE also participates in and monitors what is occurring at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on issues that impact the region and state.
February Energy Update:
Wildfire Billions, Data Center Power Plays & A Grid Under Pressure
The February 2026 UAE Monthly Energy Update dives into one of the most consequential energy moments in the West — where wildfire liability, AI-driven demand, and infrastructure bottlenecks are colliding. Here’s what members are reading:
🔥 PacifiCorp’s Wildfire Tally Climbs Higher
PacifiCorp agreed to a $575 million federal wildfire settlement — and now faces more than $1 billion in Oregon class-action liability, with 167 additional trials still ahead. The financial and regulatory implications for Western utilities are far from over.
🏭 Who Wants to Run Utah’s Idled Coal Plant?
Fourteen companies — ranging from data center developers to nuclear startups and fossil fuel traders — have expressed interest in operating the Intermountain Power Plant’s remaining coal units. Is this a coal revival, a bridge to nuclear, or a reliability hedge?
💻 Powering the AI Boom — With Fossil Fuels
Utah’s data center explosion is outpacing utility supply. Developers in Millard County are proposing gigawatt-scale facilities powered largely by natural gas — some planning up to 10 GW of on-site generation. Lawmakers are attempting to protect ratepayers while allowing behind-the-meter generation for large loads. The environmental and affordability tradeoffs are front and center.
⚖️ Congress Grapples with Wildfire Liability & Grid Delays
Utilities told lawmakers wildfire mitigation costs are driving major rate increases — including a reported 40% transmission rate hike tied to liability exposure. Meanwhile, federal permitting delays for vegetation management and transmission upgrades remain a flashpoint.
💰 Utah & Idaho Remain Among the Most Affordable States
Despite national price pressures, Utah’s projected 2026 residential bills rank among the lowest in the country. Renewable generation continues rising — driven largely by solar — even as broader Western grid stress intensifies.
📈 Market Watch
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NYMEX natural gas futures jumped sharply year-over-year (see page 13).
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Western wholesale electricity prices remain volatile across major hubs (page 14 charts).
UAE members stay ahead of the curve — not just reading headlines, but understanding what they mean for rates, reliability, and regulatory outcomes.
👉 Become a UAE member today and join Utah’s leading network of energy users shaping the region’s future.
