The Utah Legislature has passed a bill to extend the operation of coal generators at the Intermountain Power Plant (IPP). This move goes against the plant’s owners’ plans to shift to a cleaner energy source. Last year, lawmakers stopped the plant’s coal units from being retired in 2025. Now, they want to ensure that technical issues do not interfere with coal production at the plant.
In November, during the Legislature’s interim session, Rep. Colin Jack, R-St. George, introduced HB70. This bill prevents the Intermountain Power Agency (IPA) from disconnecting equipment at the coal-powered facilities while it works on transitioning to IPP Renewed. IPP Renewed is a multibillion-dollar natural gas project that was originally intended to replace coal power generation.
There were concerns about whether the IPA, which is owned by 23 Utah municipalities, could meet the state’s request without delaying the new project. However, after some adjustments, it seems that the IPA is no longer completely opposed to the legislation.
Rep. Jack explained that disconnecting the equipment could render the power plant useless, as the power generated would have nowhere to go. After further discussions, Jack changed the bill’s wording to specify that IPA should maintain the facilities that supply power, ensuring their continued functionality. This was a shift from the original language, which prohibited the agency from modifying or removing the equipment.
The House Public Utilities and Energy Committee voted unanimously to approve the new version of the bill. It will now move to the House floor for consideration.
The updated bill also requires the IPA to keep essential switchyard equipment in a way that ensures at least one coal-powered generation unit can be reactivated. This would keep one coal unit online, while the other is placed in standby mode. The new IPP Renewed generators will still be able to use the switchyard space to provide power to their primary client, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
IPA had previously opposed keeping the coal units active beyond 2025 due to concerns over federal air quality permits. However, Rep. Jack pointed out that a report requested by the Legislature revealed that the air permit allows for two gas plants and one coal plant to remain operational. Jack also noted that this change would bring 900 new megawatts into Utah, which were previously sent to California, but would now stay in Utah.
Cameron Cowan, the general manager for IPA, remained neutral during the committee hearing. He thanked Rep. Jack for productive conversations and for addressing the concerns of all parties involved.
“We appreciate him listening to us and finding solutions that work for multiple stakeholders,” Cowan said. “We look forward to continuing these discussions.”
