HB 549: Energy Efficiency Rebate Amendments - Utah

Amended 2/26/2026 10:02:31 → Substitute #1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the reporting requirements for Utah's large-scale public utilities regarding their energy rebate programs. It establishes a new section requiring utilities serving over 200,000 customers to submit annual reports detailing their rebate programs, customer participation, and alignment with state energy policy. Additionally, it modifies the Office of Energy Development's duties to review these reports and provide recommendations to utilities for improving program alignment.

Scope change

The bill introduces a new requirement for large-scale public utilities (defined as those serving over 200,000 retail customers) to operate and report on energy rebate programs, which was not explicitly codified in this manner in the previous version.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new Section 54-7-13.7 requiring large-scale public utilities to submit annual reports on their energy rebate programs by September 1st.

Added specific reporting requirements including details on rebate types, customer participation numbers by category, total amounts issued, energy savings, cost-effectiveness metrics, and administrative costs.

ENFORCEMENT

Modified the Office of Energy Development's duties to include reviewing utility reports and consulting with utilities to recommend improvements for aligning rebate programs with state energy policy.

TIMELINE

Adjusted reporting deadlines to September 1, 2027, and November 1, 2027, for the initial reports and annual submissions.

TECHNICAL

Corrected a typo in the bill text changing 'Part 1114' to 'Part 1114' (removing the extra digit) regarding the Energy Project Assessment.

Amended Excerpts 2/26/2026 10:02:31 → Amended 2/26/2026 10:02:31 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the reporting requirements for large-scale public utilities in Utah, mandating that they submit detailed annual reports on their energy rebate programs to the Office of Energy Development. The Office is now required to review these reports and consult with utilities to ensure their programs align with state energy policy. The bill also clarifies the definition of a 'large-scale public utility' and sets a specific effective date for these new rules.

Scope change

The scope of reporting is expanded to include detailed metrics on customer participation, cost-effectiveness, and energy savings, while the Office of Energy Development's role is broadened to include a formal review and consultation process.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for large-scale public utilities to submit detailed annual reports covering specific metrics like customer categories, rebate amounts, and energy savings.

Added a new duty for the Office of Energy Development to review utility reports and consult with them to improve alignment with state energy policy.

DEFINITION

Clarified the definition of 'large-scale public utility' to explicitly include providers of retail natural gas service to over 200,000 customers.

TIMELINE

Established a specific effective date of May 6, 2026, for the new reporting and review requirements.

Enrolled → Amended Excerpts 2/26/2026 10:02:31 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to correct a typo in the highlighted provisions and to delay the reporting deadlines by one year, moving the initial report and annual reviews from 2026 to 2027. These changes give large-scale public utilities and the Office of Energy Development more time to prepare for the new energy rebate reporting requirements.

TIMELINE

The deadline for the first annual report and the initial review of rebate programs was changed from September 1, 2026, to September 1, 2027.

The deadline for the office to review reports and provide recommendations to utilities was changed from November 1, 2026, to November 1, 2027.

TECHNICAL

A typo in the 'Highlighted Provisions' section was corrected to change 'requires a large-scale public utility to operate an energy rebate program' to 'requires a large-scale public utility to annually report to the Office of Energy Development regarding the large-scale public utility's energy rebate program'.

Introduced → Enrolled · 5 edits · Mar 25, 2026

MODERATE

This bill simplifies the text of HB 549 by removing detailed definitions of energy sources and shifting the focus to reporting requirements. It changes the deadline for utility reports from November to September and adds a new duty for the Office of Energy Development to review those reports and provide recommendations to utilities.

Scope change

The bill's scope was significantly narrowed; extensive definitions regarding clean energy sources and demand-side resources were removed, and the affected Utah Code sections were updated to reflect the new, streamlined text.

DEFINITION

Removed detailed legal definitions for terms like 'clean energy source,' 'high-resolution demand-side resource,' and 'qualifying zero carbon emissions generation' that were present in the introduced version.

TIMELINE

Changed the deadline for large-scale public utilities to submit annual energy rebate reports from November 30 to September 1.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the Office of Energy Development to review utility reports, consult with utilities on policy alignment, and provide specific recommendations for improvement.

Removed the requirement for the Office of Energy Development to conduct a comprehensive study of energy rebate programs, replacing it with a review of existing reports.

TECHNICAL

Updated the list of affected Utah Code sections to remove references to energy efficiency rebate amendments and add a reference to a new energy rebate reporting section.

Energy Efficiency Rebate Amendments

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