Utah Legislature Considers Breakup of PacifiCorp

Utah lawmakers are pushing for a potential breakup of PacifiCorp, the parent company of Rocky Mountain Power, citing frustration over a proposed rate hike of up to 18.1% and conflicting energy policies across states. During recent legislative hearings, Rocky Mountain Power President Dick Garlish acknowledged the complexities of a separation, which could take up to 18 months to analyze and may involve significant costs. The utility operates in six states, but lawmakers expressed concerns that policies in states like California and Oregon are negatively impacting Utah's energy costs. Garlish emphasized the importance of collaboration among the states involved, as no single state can dictate the process. The discussions are fueled by a desire to align Utah's energy goals of affordability and reliability with local policies rather than those from other states. As legislators prepare to address the utility's challenges, the outcome of these discussions remains uncertain.