{"id":1793,"date":"2026-05-19T09:40:09","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T09:40:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/2026\/05\/19\/in-conservative-utah-some-communities-are-ditching-fossil-fuel-power-for-clean-energy\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T09:40:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T09:40:09","slug":"in-conservative-utah-some-communities-are-ditching-fossil-fuel-power-for-clean-energy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=1793","title":{"rendered":"In conservative Utah, some communities are ditching fossil fuel power for clean energy"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"storytitle\">\n<h1>In conservative Utah, some communities are ditching fossil fuel power for clean energy<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"STORYTITLE\" --><\/p>\n<div id=\"story-meta\" class=\"story-meta has-byline has-org\">\n<div class=\"story-meta__one\">\n<div class=\"story-meta__one-inner\">\n<div class=\"dateblock\">\n    <time datetime=\"2026-05-19T05:00:00-04:00\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"date\">May 19, 2026<\/span><span class=\"time\">5:00 AM ET<\/span><br \/>\n    <\/time>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"program-block\">\n                        Heard on             <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/programs\/morning-edition\/2026\/05\/19\/morning-edition-for-may-19-2026\">Morning Edition<\/a>\n         <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"PROGRAM-BLOCK\" -->\n      <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"STORY-META__ONE-INNER\" --><\/p>\n<div class=\"station\">\n<p> <b>From<\/b><a class=\"station\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kuer.org\/?utm_source=npr.org&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=click%2Bstation&amp;utm_term=local-story\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/branding.npr.org\/logo\/service-logo\/logo-Color-Logo-s213.png\" alt=\"KUER\"><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"STATION\" -->\n   <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"STORY-META__ONE\" --><\/p>\n<div class=\"story-meta__two\">\n<div id=\"storybyline\" class=\"storybyline-wrap linkLocation\">\n<div class=\"bucketwrap byline\">\n<div class=\"byline-container--block\">\n<p class=\"byline__name--block\">By\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"byline byline--block byline--has-link\" aria-label=\"Byline\">\n<p class=\"byline__name byline__name--block\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/people\/nx-s1-57698\/david-condos\" rel=\"author\"><br \/>\n      David Condos<br \/>\n    <\/a>\n  <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP BYLINE\" -->\n      <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"STORY-META__TWO\" -->\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"STORY-META\" CLASS=\"STORY-META HAS-BYLINE HAS-ORG\" --><\/p>\n<div id=\"headlineaudio\" class=\"storylocation linkLocation\">\n<article id=\"resnx-s1-5734480-1047\" class=\"bucketwrap resaudio unavailable\" aria-label=\"audio-module\">\n<div class=\"audio-module\">\n<h4 class=\"audio-module-title\">In conservative Utah, some communities are ditching fossil fuel power for clean energy<\/h4>\n<div class=\"audio-module-controls-wrap\">\n<div class=\"audio-module-controls\">\n            <b class=\"audio-availability-message\">Audio will be available later today.<\/b>\n        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"storytext\" class=\"storytext storylocation linkLocation\">\n<div id=\"resg-s1-122526\" class=\"bucketwrap image x-large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"--source-width: 3000;--source-height: 2016\">\n<p>            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2016+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F67%2F93%2Fc0cdfe6344e29e2ae9f3d71e3819%2Frenewable0935.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2016+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F67%2F93%2Fc0cdfe6344e29e2ae9f3d71e3819%2Frenewable0935.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt='A man crosses a street in a town with a billboard that says \"Welcome to Coalville\" on the hillside at the end of the street. '><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                In conservative Utah, a group of communities joined forces to bring more renewable energy to the electric grid. The group ranges from the state&#8217;s largest city to rural towns, such as Coalville. Their effort could be a model for other U.S. cities to take climate action, even as the federal government pulls back on clean power.<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n                    Kim Raff for NPR<br \/>\n                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><b>toggle caption<\/b><\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n        Kim Raff for NPR<br \/>\n    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><em>NPR is dedicating a week to stories and conversations about how communities are <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/series\/1199537689\/climate-week\/\" target=\"_blank\"><em>moving forward on climate solutions <\/em><\/a><em>despite significant political headwinds. As the federal government halts plans to address climate change, states, cities, regions, and even neighborhoods are trying to fill the gap by cutting climate pollution and adapting to extreme weather.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"hr\">\n<hr>\n<\/div>\n<p>COALVILLE, Utah \u2014 Since the first day of his second term, President Trump has targeted renewable power. He has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/presidential-actions\/2025\/04\/reinvigorating-americas-beautiful-clean-coal-industry-and-amending-executive-order-14241\/\" target=\"_blank\">signed<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/presidential-actions\/2025\/04\/protecting-american-energy-from-state-overreach\/\" target=\"_blank\">executive<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/presidential-actions\/2026\/04\/presidential-determination-pursuant-to-section-303-of-the-defense-production-act-of-1950-as-amended-on-coal-supply-chains-and-baseload-power-generation-capacity\/\" target=\"_blank\">orders<\/a> aimed at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2025\/04\/16\/nx-s1-5359013\/trump-orders-coal-revival-market-favors-natural-gas\" target=\"_blank\">reviving<\/a> the coal industry. He&#8217;s pushed policies to halt new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/02\/04\/climate\/wind-solar-projects.html\" target=\"_blank\">solar<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/03\/24\/nx-s1-5684158\/trump-takes-aim-at-windmills-despite-increasing-energy-costs\" target=\"_blank\">wind<\/a> development.<\/p>\n<p>Despite this, a coalition of big cities and small towns in conservative Utah is charting a different path \u2014 one that will bring more renewable power to the electric grid. The effort could be a model for other U.S. cities to take climate action, even as the federal government pulls back on clean power.<\/p>\n<div id=\"resg-s1-122443\" class=\"bucketwrap image large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"--source-width: 3000;--source-height: 2000\">\n<p>            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2000+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F47%2F8f%2F3c1a44fd4fdca88b68cd3f9e6b7f%2Fgettyimages-2155174183.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2000+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F47%2F8f%2F3c1a44fd4fdca88b68cd3f9e6b7f%2Fgettyimages-2155174183.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"Utah\u2019s capital, Salt Lake City, is one of 19 communities that has formed Utah Renewable Communities. Roughly three-quarters of Utah\u2019s electricity is generated from coal and natural gas, but the coalition is aiming to bring new clean energy to the grid by 2030.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                Utah&#8217;s capital, Salt Lake City, is one of 19 communities that formed Utah Renewable Communities. Roughly three-quarters of Utah&#8217;s electricity comes from coal and natural gas. The coalition is aiming to bring new clean energy to the grid by 2030.<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n                    Joe Sohm\/Visions of America\/Universal Images Group Editorial<br \/>\n                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><b>toggle caption<\/b><\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n        Joe Sohm\/Visions of America\/Universal Images Group Editorial<br \/>\n    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Utah&#8217;s capital, Salt Lake City, is one of 19 communities that formed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.utahrenewablecommunities.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Utah Renewable Communities<\/a>. The collaboration has a big goal: generate enough clean electricity to offset the power used in their nearly 300,000 homes and businesses.<\/p>\n<p>To do this, the coalition plans to build renewable energy projects. Think solar arrays and wind farms.<\/p>\n<div id=\"resnx-s1-5734480-100\" class=\"bucketwrap internallink insettwocolumn inset2col \">\n<div class=\"bucket img\">\n                  <a class=\"imagewrap\" id=\"featuredStackSquareImagenx-s1-5732984\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/03\/16\/nx-s1-5732984\/energy-iran-war-solar-pakistan-crisis-renewable-evs\" data-metrics-ga4='{\"category\":\"recirculation\",\"action\":\"story_recirculation_click\",\"clickType\":\"inset box\",\"clickUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/03\/16\/nx-s1-5732984\/energy-iran-war-solar-pakistan-crisis-renewable-evs\"}'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3570x3570+1785+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4b%2F9e%2F7550b6db4eeea1c8cca766849801%2Fgettyimages-2224649447.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3570x3570+1785+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4b%2F9e%2F7550b6db4eeea1c8cca766849801%2Fgettyimages-2224649447.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3570x3570+1785+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4b%2F9e%2F7550b6db4eeea1c8cca766849801%2Fgettyimages-2224649447.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" alt=\"A labourer walks through Karachi with a solar panel\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/a>         <\/p>\n<div class=\"bucketblock\">\n<h3 class=\"slug\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/series\/1205445976\/middle-east-crisis\">Middle East conflict <\/a><\/h3>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/03\/16\/nx-s1-5732984\/energy-iran-war-solar-pakistan-crisis-renewable-evs\" data-metrics-ga4='{\"category\":\"recirculation\",\"action\":\"story_recirculation_click\",\"clickType\":\"inset box\",\"clickUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/03\/16\/nx-s1-5732984\/energy-iran-war-solar-pakistan-crisis-renewable-evs\"}'>Oil and gas prices are soaring. Some countries are ready with solar panels and EVs<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKETBLOCK\" -->\n      <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKET IMG\" -->\n   <\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESNX-S1-5734480-100\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP INTERNALLINK INSETTWOCOLUMN INSET2COL \" --><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s taken years to get to this point. They&#8217;ve had to get regulations updated to work directly with the regional utility to add clean energy to the grid. And they&#8217;ve had to figure out how to pay for projects.<\/p>\n<p>Now the rules are in place. And the utility, Rocky Mountain Power, a division of PacifiCorp, is on board.<\/p>\n<div id=\"resg-s1-122527\" class=\"bucketwrap image large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"--source-width: 3000;--source-height: 2010\">\n<p>            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2010+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F8e%2F13%2F817cdbbd4ff6aae24cb55488cd30%2Frenewable0741.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2010+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F8e%2F13%2F817cdbbd4ff6aae24cb55488cd30%2Frenewable0741.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"A statue outside Coalville City Hall commemorates the town's history of coal mining.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                Coal mining history goes way back in Coalville, a small town in northern Utah&#8217;s Summit County. But adding more renewables to Utah&#8217;s energy mix is about looking to the future, Summit County Sustainability Director Emily Quinton said, improving reliability and costs for customers in the years to come. &#8220;Clean energy is not just here and now,&#8221; she said. &#8220;It absolutely is a long-term investment that I think leads to a stronger grid in the long run.&#8221; Here, a statue commemorating the town&#8217;s coal-mining history stands outside Coalville City Hall.<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n                    Kim Raff for NPR<br \/>\n                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><b>toggle caption<\/b><\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n        Kim Raff for NPR<br \/>\n    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"edTag\">Utah&#8217;s bond with coal runs deep<\/h3>\n<p>As the name suggests, coal was once the lifeblood of Coalville.<\/p>\n<p>A life-size statue of a miner on Main Street serves as a reminder of the town&#8217;s roots. This small mountain town was one of Utah&#8217;s first coal communities. Coal was discovered in the area in the late 1850s.  <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We do have a legacy here,&#8221; said Emily Quinton, sustainability director of Summit County, where Coalville is located. &#8220;Not just the coal that was mined here, but we&#8217;re in a state of Utah where the state rock is coal.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Now, Summit County and Coalville are two of the Utah communities betting their future not on coal, but on renewables.<\/p>\n<p>The coalition&#8217;s push for clean energy comes at a time when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/states\/UT\/analysis#:~:text=In%202024%2C%20coal%20fueled%20about%2045%25%20of%20Utah%27s%20total%20electricity%20net%20generation%2C%20down%20from%2075%25%20in%202015%2C%20and%20natural%20gas%20accounted%20for%2032%25%2C\" target=\"_blank\">three-quarters of Utah&#8217;s electricity<\/a> is generated from coal and natural gas. These fossil fuels produce planet-warming pollution that drives climate change. State leaders have taken recent action to keep Utah&#8217;s coal industry alive, including legislation extending the lifespan of coal-fired power plants that were set to be decommissioned.<\/p>\n<div id=\"resnx-s1-5734480-101\" class=\"bucketwrap internallink insettwocolumn inset2col \">\n<div class=\"bucket img\">\n                  <a class=\"imagewrap\" id=\"featuredStackSquareImagenx-s1-5734484\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/05\/18\/nx-s1-5734484\/trump-montana-climate-change-indigenous-tribes-wildfires\" data-metrics-ga4='{\"category\":\"recirculation\",\"action\":\"story_recirculation_click\",\"clickType\":\"inset box\",\"clickUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/05\/18\/nx-s1-5734484\/trump-montana-climate-change-indigenous-tribes-wildfires\"}'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1667x1667+454+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F97%2F8d%2F511c3c8449849ff6f0b37ba64488%2F359a8400-2.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1667x1667+454+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F97%2F8d%2F511c3c8449849ff6f0b37ba64488%2F359a8400-2.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/1667x1667+454+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F97%2F8d%2F511c3c8449849ff6f0b37ba64488%2F359a8400-2.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" alt=\"Mike Durglo Jr.  stands on a hillside above a river looking towards a mountain range. Durglo has devoted his life to preparing his home and his people for climate change. As the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes climate change coordinator he wrote one of the first tribal climate action plans in the country over 15 years ago.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/a>         <\/p>\n<div class=\"bucketblock\">\n<h3 class=\"slug\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/series\/1199537689\/climate-week\">NPR&#8217;s Climate Solutions Week <\/a><\/h3>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/05\/18\/nx-s1-5734484\/trump-montana-climate-change-indigenous-tribes-wildfires\" data-metrics-ga4='{\"category\":\"recirculation\",\"action\":\"story_recirculation_click\",\"clickType\":\"inset box\",\"clickUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/05\/18\/nx-s1-5734484\/trump-montana-climate-change-indigenous-tribes-wildfires\"}'>Montana tribes combine traditional knowledge and Western science in climate plan<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKETBLOCK\" -->\n      <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKET IMG\" -->\n   <\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESNX-S1-5734480-101\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP INTERNALLINK INSETTWOCOLUMN INSET2COL \" --><\/p>\n<p>But Utah&#8217;s energy mix is changing. Roughly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/states\/UT\/analysis#:~:text=In%202024%2C%20about%2022%25%20of%20Utah%27s%20total%20electricity%20generation%20came%20from%20renewable%20energy%20sources.\" target=\"_blank\">22% of its electricity<\/a> comes from renewables, such as wind, solar and hydropower. The coalition of 19 cities, towns and counties \u2014 which also includes red rock tourism hotspots Moab and Springdale \u2014 is working together to expand that trajectory.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s a unique strategy, particularly at a time when the federal government has done a U-turn on supporting renewables.<\/p>\n<div id=\"resg-s1-122529\" class=\"bucketwrap image x-large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"--source-width: 3000;--source-height: 2001\">\n<p>            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2001+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F71%2F04%2Ffd9389a94eb2b4d2be22a9724aa6%2Frenewable0629.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2001+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F71%2F04%2Ffd9389a94eb2b4d2be22a9724aa6%2Frenewable0629.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"With so many different types of communities in the collaboration, Emily Quinton said it\u2019s important to recognize and honor the various reasons people have for joining. \u201cSome people are going to be motivated by pollution that can be avoided by clean energy,\u201d she said. \u201cSome people are going to be motivated by a core climate action goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.\u201dKim Raff for NPR\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                With so many different types of communities in the collaboration, Summit County Sustainability Director Emily Quinton said it&#8217;s important to recognize and honor the various reasons people have for joining. &#8220;Some people are going to be motivated by pollution that can be avoided by clean energy,&#8221; she said. &#8220;Some people are going to be motivated by a core climate action goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.&#8221;<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n                    Kim Raff for NPR<br \/>\n                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><b>toggle caption<\/b><\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n        Kim Raff for NPR<br \/>\n    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;The fact that our efforts here have been happening over the course of multiple federal administrations already,&#8221; Quinton said, &#8220;it shows us that at the local level, you can continue to move on climate strategies regardless of the federal winds.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>That doesn&#8217;t mean it has been easy. The coalition has been working toward its goal for several years, driven by residents&#8217; demand for more clean energy options, she said. But it&#8217;s taken longer than the communities expected.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s obviously difficult to try to work with 19 different processes,&#8221; said Quinton, who is also the coalition&#8217;s board secretary. &#8220;But I&#8217;ve been so impressed this whole time that we have functioned, I would say, very well as a collaborative.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"resnx-s1-5734480-102\" class=\"bucketwrap internallink insettwocolumn inset2col \">\n<div class=\"bucket img\">\n                  <a class=\"imagewrap\" id=\"featuredStackSquareImagenx-s1-5615257\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2025\/12\/08\/nx-s1-5615257\/china-us-renewable-wind-solar-climate\" data-metrics-ga4='{\"category\":\"recirculation\",\"action\":\"story_recirculation_click\",\"clickType\":\"inset box\",\"clickUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2025\/12\/08\/nx-s1-5615257\/china-us-renewable-wind-solar-climate\"}'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3024x3024+290+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe4%2F81%2F99cba0e147cb8bbec2a63b83ca9f%2Fimg-6414.JPG\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3024x3024+290+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe4%2F81%2F99cba0e147cb8bbec2a63b83ca9f%2Fimg-6414.JPG\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3024x3024+290+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe4%2F81%2F99cba0e147cb8bbec2a63b83ca9f%2Fimg-6414.JPG\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" alt=\"Chris Mikkelsen, executive director of the Humboldt Bay Harbor District, stands on the site of a planned marine terminal in Eureka, Calif. that will assemble wind turbines. The Trump administration recently canceled more than $426 million in federal grants for the port.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/a>         <\/p>\n<div class=\"bucketblock\">\n<h3 class=\"slug\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/series\/g-s1-61692\/u-s-vs-china-inside-a-great-power-rivalry\">U.S. vs. China: Inside a great power rivalry <\/a><\/h3>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2025\/12\/08\/nx-s1-5615257\/china-us-renewable-wind-solar-climate\" data-metrics-ga4='{\"category\":\"recirculation\",\"action\":\"story_recirculation_click\",\"clickType\":\"inset box\",\"clickUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2025\/12\/08\/nx-s1-5615257\/china-us-renewable-wind-solar-climate\"}'>How China, not the U.S., became the main climate solution story in 2025<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKETBLOCK\" -->\n      <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKET IMG\" -->\n   <\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESNX-S1-5734480-102\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP INTERNALLINK INSETTWOCOLUMN INSET2COL \" --><\/p>\n<p>The state Legislature first had to pass a <a href=\"https:\/\/le.utah.gov\/~2019\/bills\/static\/HB0411.html\" target=\"_blank\">law<\/a> in 2019 to make this type of community-utility collaboration possible. The legislation created a framework for the state to regulate it.<\/p>\n<p>That was no small feat, explained Steve Handy, the Republican state representative who championed the bill. In Utah, renewables have often been politicized. Handy said pushback came over what supporting solar and wind could mean for towns where coal is an economic driver.<\/p>\n<p>But in Handy&#8217;s view, adding more sources to Utah&#8217;s energy mix just makes sense.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Utah needs all of the power that it can get with the data centers, the advent of artificial intelligence, EVs,&#8221; he said. &#8220;We can&#8217;t get it just from coal-based, fossil fuel-based, because that is now one of the more expensive options.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"resg-s1-122530\" class=\"bucketwrap image large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"--source-width: 3000;--source-height: 2001\">\n<p>            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2001+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F19%2F13%2Fe923943145a1894561b47f004890%2Frenewable0343.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2001+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F19%2F13%2Fe923943145a1894561b47f004890%2Frenewable0343.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"Park City Director of Lands and Sustainability Luke Cartin said the Utah collaboration\u2019s efforts have been fueled by residents\u2019 demand for more clean energy options. \u201cThere's this pent-up emotion and want and need for this,\u201d he said. \u201cThis can make very strong economic sense, and it can also solve a lot of other larger existential threats as well.\u201d\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                Many residents in Park City, Utah, feel the urgency to address climate change, especially this year. Record warm winter temperatures zapped the snow that&#8217;s the foundation of the economy and identity of this mountainous area.<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n                    Kim Raff for NPR<br \/>\n                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><b>toggle caption<\/b><\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n        Kim Raff for NPR<br \/>\n    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"edTag\">The urgency of climate change<\/h3>\n<p>The winter sports hub, Park City, is also part of the coalition. Residents feel an urgency to reduce planet-warming pollution, especially this year, said Luke Cartin, director of lands and sustainability for Park City.<\/p>\n<p>He watched as a ski lift chair hovered over a grassy hill. This slope near where skiers and snowboarders raced during the 2002 Winter Olympics is typically blanketed in snow all spring.<\/p>\n<p>This year, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kuer.org\/science-environment\/2026-03-03\/meteorological-winter-leaves-utah-the-way-it-came-in-hot-and-bothered\" target=\"_blank\">historically warm<\/a> temperatures <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kuer.org\/science-environment\/2026-02-03\/utah-is-in-a-snow-drought-heres-why-thats-bad-for-more-than-skiers\" target=\"_blank\">zapped the snow<\/a> that&#8217;s the foundation of Park City&#8217;s economy and identity. Utah and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/04\/08\/nx-s1-5759681\/light-snowpack-is-setting-up-conditions-for-drought-and-fires-in-the-u-s-west\" target=\"_blank\">other Western states<\/a> had their warmest winter on record.<\/p>\n<div id=\"resg-s1-122427\" class=\"bucketwrap image x-large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"--source-width: 3015;--source-height: 1000\">\n<p>            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3015x1000+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4c%2F9f%2F00edb2d645ab98bc7b695e12abc5%2Fdiputah.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3015x1000+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4c%2F9f%2F00edb2d645ab98bc7b695e12abc5%2Fdiputah.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"Skiers walk down a snowless hill in Park City, Utah, on March 19, 2026. Utah\u2019s snowpack levels typically peak in early April. A dry winter paired with a warm spring meant Utah\u2019s meager snow cover melted away several weeks ahead of normal this year.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                Utah&#8217;s snowpack levels typically peak in early April. A dry winter paired with a warm spring meant Utah&#8217;s meager snow cover melted away several weeks ahead of normal this year.<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n                    David Condos\/KUER<br \/>\n                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><b>toggle caption<\/b><\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n        David Condos\/KUER<br \/>\n    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Then came the early spring <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kuer.org\/science-environment\/2026-03-31\/utahs-snowpack-usually-peaks-right-about-now-instead-its-mostly-gone\" target=\"_blank\">heat waves<\/a>. Researchers with World Weather Attribution found those heat waves would have been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldweatherattribution.org\/record-shattering-march-temperatures-in-western-north-america-virtually-impossible-without-climate-change\/\" target=\"_blank\">virtually impossible<\/a> without human-caused climate change.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Instead of just saying, &#8216;Hey, we held up a sign, but nothing happened,'&#8221; Cartin said, &#8220;we made this change in one of the most conservative states in the country.&#8221; It&#8217;s something, he said, &#8220;the community can take pride in.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The Utah coalition&#8217;s work is getting noticed. Cartin said he&#8217;s fielding questions from communities in other states about how they could do something similar.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s been the really interesting part of being able to present in Montana and Idaho,&#8221; Cartin said, &#8220;being like, &#8216;Hey, we figured this out. You can figure it out, too.'&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"resg-s1-122531\" class=\"bucketwrap image x-large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"--source-width: 3000;--source-height: 2040\">\n<p>            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2040+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdd%2Fc2%2F9510352e4044b2b1199cb450d975%2Frenewable0115.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2040+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdd%2Fc2%2F9510352e4044b2b1199cb450d975%2Frenewable0115.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"Park City Director of Lands and Sustainability Luke Cartin said the Utah collaboration\u2019s efforts have been fueled by residents\u2019 demand for more clean energy options. \u201cThere's this pent-up emotion and want and need for this,\u201d he said. \u201cThis can make very strong economic sense, and it can also solve a lot of other larger existential threats as well.\u201d\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                Park City Director of Lands and Sustainability Luke Cartin said the Utah collaboration&#8217;s efforts have been fueled by residents&#8217; demand for more clean energy options. &#8220;There&#8217;s this pent-up emotion and want and need for this,&#8221; he said. &#8220;This can make very strong economic sense, and it can also solve a lot of other larger existential threats as well.&#8221;<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n                    Kim Raff for NPR<br \/>\n                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><b>toggle caption<\/b><\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n        Kim Raff for NPR<br \/>\n    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"edTag\">Political headwinds\u00a0<\/h3>\n<p>Without the coalition, the projects it&#8217;s considering likely would not get built. PacifiCorp, which runs the regional utility Rocky Mountain Power, has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificorp.com\/energy\/integrated-resource-plan.html\" target=\"_blank\">rolled back its plans<\/a> to build new renewable energy resources.<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s been a response to the Trump administration&#8217;s moves that favor fossil fuels. Specifically, the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2025\/07\/10\/1255443728\/1a-energy-07-10-2025\" target=\"_blank\">undid<\/a> parts of the Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act that had offered tax incentives for wind and solar.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This significantly changed the economic modeling of the company&#8217;s resource planning, changing the least-cost, least-risk portfolio of resource types that are in the best interests of customers,&#8221; PacifiCorp spokesperson David Eskelsen wrote in an email.<\/p>\n<div id=\"resg-s1-122429\" class=\"bucketwrap image large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"--source-width: 4032;--source-height: 3024\">\n<p>            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4032x3024+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F9c%2Fba%2Ff408f351491381ac97579583ee59%2Fimg-3653-copy.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4032x3024+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F9c%2Fba%2Ff408f351491381ac97579583ee59%2Fimg-3653-copy.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"A gravel road leads to a group of homes in Castle Valley, Utah. \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                A gravel road leads to a group of homes in Castle Valley, Utah. People living in this small desert town have felt the impacts of a warming climate, said Town Council member Pamela Gibson, and they see the logic in pursuing renewables. &#8220;I think most people recognize that there is a thing called climate change, and it is man-made, and that we should be doing everything we can,&#8221; she said.<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n                    David Condos\/KUER<br \/>\n                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><b>toggle caption<\/b><\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n        David Condos\/KUER<br \/>\n    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Large solar and wind projects provide <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2025\/12\/08\/nx-s1-5615257\/china-us-renewable-wind-solar-climate\" target=\"_blank\">more cost-competitive energy<\/a> than natural gas, nuclear and coal projects, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lazard.com\/research-insights\/levelized-cost-of-energyplus-lcoeplus\/\" target=\"_blank\">according to financial services firm Lazard<\/a>. Renewable energy is also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dallasnews.com\/business\/energy\/2025\/07\/10\/texas-wind-solar-reliability-undermines-critics-on-renewable-energy\/\" target=\"_blank\">proven to be reliable<\/a> when it&#8217;s paired with large batteries and other types of grid management.<\/p>\n<p>Politically, other red states could face challenges to pass legislation like Utah did in 2019, said Severin Borenstein, faculty director of the University of California, Berkeley&#8217;s Energy Institute at Haas.<\/p>\n<p>A single initiative won&#8217;t do much to stop global climate change, he said. But even a small-scale program, such as Utah&#8217;s, could help change the narrative.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That sort of leadership and setting an example, I think, is the real value of these sorts of efforts,&#8221; Borenstein said. &#8220;They can build momentum from towns to counties to states and ultimately to the federal government, if it can be shown to be cost-effective.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"resg-s1-122430\" class=\"bucketwrap image x-large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"--source-width: 3000;--source-height: 2250\">\n<p>            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2250+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7f%2F01%2F547e6f124981a8fc10b1523f4c41%2Fimg-3580.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2250+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7f%2F01%2F547e6f124981a8fc10b1523f4c41%2Fimg-3580.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"Some communities in the Utah coalition have already taken small steps toward going renewable. Moab recently installed a rooftop solar array on City Hall to power its municipal offices. \u201cLiving in a rural place, a remote place, we have an attitude that if we want it, we're going to have to go out and find it,\u201d said Alexi Lamm, the town\u2019s sustainability director. Now, the collaboration will allow Moab to offer clean power to all of its residents.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                Some communities in the Utah coalition have already taken small steps toward going renewable. Moab recently installed a rooftop solar array on City Hall to power its municipal offices. &#8220;Living in a rural place, a remote place, we have an attitude that if we want it, we&#8217;re going to have to go out and find it,&#8221; said Alexi Lamm, the town&#8217;s sustainability director. Now, the collaboration will allow Moab to offer clean power to all of its residents.<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n                    David Condos\/KUER<br \/>\n                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><b>toggle caption<\/b><\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n        David Condos\/KUER<br \/>\n    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"edTag\">The switch to renewables<\/h3>\n<p>Utah&#8217;s Public Service Commission officially <a href=\"https:\/\/www.utahrenewablecommunities.org\/approval\/\" target=\"_blank\">approved <\/a>the program earlier this year. Communities have until June 2 to pass local ordinances confirming their participation.<\/p>\n<p>Once that happens, the program will have Rocky Mountain Power enroll every home in participating communities. They&#8217;ll add a $4 monthly fee to residents&#8217; electric bills starting next year. Low-income residents can get the fee covered, and customers can still opt out.<\/p>\n<p>For many rural communities, switching to all renewable power without this coalition would be next to impossible.<\/p>\n<p>Take Castle Valley, population 347. This community along the Colorado River in southeast Utah is another program participant.<\/p>\n<div id=\"resg-s1-122431\" class=\"bucketwrap image large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"--source-width: 3000;--source-height: 2250\">\n<p>            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2250+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5d%2F35%2F7fbe85ac41cba1cc2bfb8835d8a0%2Fimg-3617.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2250+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5d%2F35%2F7fbe85ac41cba1cc2bfb8835d8a0%2Fimg-3617.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"Castle Valley resident Alice Drogin checks on plants at her small business, Canyon Nursery. She\u2019s hopeful her greenhouses will someday run on clean power because of the Utah program. \u201cI have in-floor heating, so I do like my electricity,\u201d she said, \u201cand I would love to be able to have it sourced with renewable types of energy.\u201d\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                Castle Valley resident Alice Drogin checks on plants at her small business, Canyon Nursery. She&#8217;s hopeful her greenhouses will someday run on clean power because of the Utah program. &#8220;I have in-floor heating, so I do like my electricity,&#8221; she said, &#8220;and I would love to be able to have it sourced with renewable types of energy.&#8221;<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n                    David Condos\/KUER<br \/>\n                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><b>toggle caption<\/b><\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><br \/>\n        David Condos\/KUER<br \/>\n    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Town Council member Pamela Gibson said residents wouldn&#8217;t consider themselves &#8220;radical environmentalists.&#8221; But they&#8217;ve seen climate change impact the valley \u2014 like this year&#8217;s warm, dry winter \u2014 and they want to protect their home for the future.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We can&#8217;t solve all the problems,&#8221; Gibson said. &#8220;But if we all get together, it&#8217;s drops of water in a big pond. And we can eventually fill it up.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Utah Renewable Communities plans to announce its first clean energy project this summer and begin generating power by 2030.<\/p>\n<div id=\"resnx-s1-5734480-103\" class=\"bucketwrap statichtml\">\n<p data-pym-loader data-child-src=\"https:\/\/apps.npr.org\/dailygraphics\/graphics\/climateweek-footer-20260513\/\" id=\"responsive-embed-climateweek-footer-20260513\"> Loading&#8230; <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESNX-S1-5734480-103\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP STATICHTML\" -->\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tags\">\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"tag tag--story\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/tags\/125938077\/climate-change\">climate change<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"tag tag--story\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/tags\/351731724\/renewable-energy\">renewable energy<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"tag tag--story\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/tags\/439540342\/fossil-fuels\">fossil fuels<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"TAGS\" --><\/p>\n<div class=\"share-tools share-tools--secondary\" aria-label=\"Share tools\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"share-tools__service share-tools__service--facebook\"><button class=\"fbStorynx-s1-5734480\" data-share-facebook='{\"storyId\": \"nx-s1-5734480\" }' data-metrics-ga4='{\"category\":\"share\",\"action\":\"share\",\"clickName\":\"facebook\"}'><b class=\"share-tools__service-name\">Facebook<\/b><\/button><\/li>\n<li class=\"share-tools__service share-tools__service--flipboard\"><button class=\"storynx-s1-5734480\" data-share-flipboard='{\"storyId\": \"nx-s1-5734480\" }' data-metrics-ga4='{\"category\":\"share\",\"action\":\"share\",\"clickName\":\"flipboard\"}'><b class=\"share-tools__service-name\">Flipboard<\/b><\/button><\/li>\n<li class=\"share-tools__service share-tools__service--email\"><button class=\"share-tools__email-link\" data-story-id=\"nx-s1-5734480\" data-metrics-ga4='{\"category\":\"share\",\"action\":\"share\",\"clickName\":\"email\"}'><b class=\"share-tools__service-name\">Email<\/b><\/button><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"SHARE-TOOLS SHARE-TOOLS-SECONDARY\" ARIA-LABEL=\"SHARE TOOLS\" --><br \/>\n<!-- END ID=\"NEWSLETTER-ACQUISITION-CALLOUT-DATA\" DATA-NEWSLETTER=\"{&amp;QUOT;NEWSLETTERID&amp;QUOT;:&amp;QUOT;NEWS&amp;QUOT;,&amp;QUOT;TITLE&amp;QUOT;:&amp;QUOT;UP FIRST&amp;QUOT;,&amp;QUOT;MARKETINGHEADER&amp;QUOT;:&amp;QUOT;SIGN UP FOR NPR&#039;S UP FIRST NEWSLETTER&amp;QUOT;,&amp;QUOT;FREQUENCY&amp;QUOT;:&amp;QUOT;EVERY DAY&amp;QUOT;,&amp;QUOT;SHORTDESCRIPTION&amp;QUOT;:&amp;QUOT;THE STORIES YOU NEED TO START YOUR DAY, HAND-PICKED FOR YOU EVERY WEEKDAY. 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