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.
April Energy Update:
⚡ April Energy Update: AI Power Race, Renewable Momentum & Rising Grid Tensions
The April 2026 UAE Monthly Energy Update highlights a rapidly evolving energy landscape where massive data center growth, shifting resource mixes, and rising reliability concerns are reshaping the West. Here’s what members are tracking:
🚀 A $70 Billion Bet on Utah’s Energy Future
“Shark Tank” investor Kevin O’Leary is backing a massive 40,000-acre data center and energy development in northern Utah — with plans for up to 7.5 GW of power demand, nearly double the state’s current usage. The global AI race is arriving in Utah in a big way.
🌞 Renewables Hit a Major Milestone
Wind and solar now account for about 20% of Utah’s electricity, driven by steep cost declines and rapid deployment. But rising demand — especially from AI and electrification — is putting new pressure on the grid.
⚖️ Wildfire Costs Reshape Utility Economics
PacifiCorp secured approval in Idaho to defer and track wildfire-related insurance and liability costs, while simultaneously pursuing a $1.09 billion wildfire fund in Utah. The question isn’t if costs will rise — it’s how they’ll be allocated.
🏙️ Cities & Corporations Push Toward Clean Energy
Salt Lake City has opted into a major renewable energy program, aiming for 100% clean electricity by 2030, even as costs tick upward. Meanwhile, large-scale projects like Creekstone’s record-setting 13,000-acre solar lease show how developers are building their own power solutions.
💻 Data Center Boom Raises Big Questions
Utah’s data center capacity is set to more than triple, with AI facilities using up to 10x the power of traditional centers. Policymakers are grappling with tradeoffs around reliability, water use, tax incentives, and long-term economic benefits.
⚡ Reliability Pressures Keep Coal Online
Despite planned retirements, coal plants like Colorado’s Craig Unit 1 are being called back into service to maintain grid reliability — a sign that the energy transition is colliding with real-world system constraints.
🔋 Nuclear Momentum Builds in the West
TerraPower has officially broken ground on Wyoming’s first nuclear plant — a next-generation reactor expected online by 2031, signaling renewed interest in firm, carbon-free power.
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.
