Climate & Energy
While climate change is a global crisis, many of the impacts are being addressed on a local community level. We work to mitigate these impacts through our climate and energy goals. This includes reducing direct emissions, reducing our energy consumption, and switching to renewable sources.
Learn more about the City’s climate and energy progress and goals.
2025 Accomplishments
- Continued to work with statewide partners to develop the Utah Renewable Communities program (URC). The program would move us towards meeting the City’s renewable electricity goals. Progress made in 2025 included:
- Successfully filed the URC program application with the Utah Public Service Commission (PSC). This included participating in a set of hearings for the PSC to determine whether to approve, deny, or modify the program as proposed. These milestones were over five years in the making towards regulatory approval. We expect a decision in early 2026.
- Drafted a model ordinance, included in the program application. Pending PSC approval, the ordinance will be transmitted for consideration by the City Council in the first half of 2026.
- The URC agency published a Request For Proposals (RFP) for program resources in May. Proposals are currently being evaluated. A power purchase agreement will be negotiated if the program is approved.
- Successfully filed the URC program application with the Utah Public Service Commission (PSC). This included participating in a set of hearings for the PSC to determine whether to approve, deny, or modify the program as proposed. These milestones were over five years in the making towards regulatory approval. We expect a decision in early 2026.
- Finalized the regional Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) and submitted to the EPA in December. The plan outlines 34 targeted measures across the major economic sectors. If fully implemented, these measures could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 162 million metric tons by 2050 (or a 74% decrease in annual emissions, relative to 2021 baseline levels). The largest reductions would be in the transportation and buildings sectors. The plan emphasizes resilience, highlighting the need for workforce development, stakeholder collaboration, and urgent action to protect vulnerable communities from escalating climate risks while improving air quality and public health.
- In support of the regional Climate Action Plan development, the Environmental Justice Resident Committee (EJRC) was formed in cooperation with University Neighborhood Partners to ensure meaningful participation from low-income Westside residents to address the environmental, social, and health challenges they face. Through ongoing engagement, reciprocal learning, and community storytelling—including an upcoming dedicated website—the EJRC has elevated community voices, identified key environmental burdens, and advocated for equitable solutions rooted in lived experience and systemic awareness.
- Launched Climate Forward SLC, a Salt Lake City-specific climate plan, leveraging the grant resources and efforts required to complete the regional CCAP. This plan received an initial briefing to the City Council on November 25, 2025, is moving through engagement processes, and will come back to the City Council for consideration in later 2026.
- Extended partnership with FUSE Corps through October 2025 to complete a Green Workforce Roadmap that identifies actionable steps and strategies for regional green workforce development and opportunities for family-supporting, low-barrier jobs connected with the climate transition. Shared results in a Green Workforce Summit and identified potential pilot programs.
2026 Priorities
- Continue to engage with stakeholders to develop the Climate Forward 2040 plan and present to City Council for consideration of formal adoption.
- Continue to develop the URC program with statewide partners, towards the City’s net-100% renewable electricity goal. In 2026, the URC agency anticipates approval of the program by the PSC, adoption of a City ordinance to authorize participation, and finalizing an agreement for construction of the first renewable electricity resource.
- Established in 2025, continue participation in the Intermountain Stretch Code Collaborative. The collaborative, led by Utah Clean Energy, is a group of building industry professionals who will work together to identify and propose solutions to existing challenges of constructing zero energy homes and buildings.
- Continue to engage with the EJRC, in partnership with University Neighborhood Partners, to elevate community voices, identify key environmental burdens, and advocate for equitable solutions rooted in lived experience.