The City of Moab has been named the first Rocky Mountain Power “wattsmart” community in the nation.
On Wednesday, Oct. 18, Moab Mayor Dave Sakrison signed a memorandum of understanding with Debra Dull, regional business manager for Rocky Mountain Power (RMP), officially acknowledging the wattsmart community partnership.
“We are excited to work with the City of Moab under the new wattsmart Communities Program to bring the community a plan that will help Moab achieve its energy goals,” said Clay Monroe, program manager for Rocky Mountain Power Customer Solutions.
RMP’s wattsmart program will provide tools and resources necessary to develop and implement an energy action plan that will help the city reach its accelerated goals for future energy independence.
Those goals were adopted by the Moab City Council in 2017 and include transitioning municipal operations to at least 50 percent renewable electricity by 2024, and 100 percent by 2027. Other goals include the transition to 100 percent community-wide renewable electricity by 2030, a 50 percent community-wide reduction in all greenhouse gas emissions by 2032, and an 80 percent reduction in those emissions by 2040.
The wattsmart Communities Program centers on increasing energy efficiency at the community-scale level. Rocky Mountain Power will provide expert support to help the city create an energy plan, with the input of residents and business owners. As part of this plan, Moab City will build upon the leadership Moab businesses and organizations have shown by participating in the renewable energy programs that Rocky Mountain Power currently offers: Solar Subscriber and the Blue Sky Program.
“Moab’s 38 Blue Sky businesses are helping to protect our air and enhance community health,” said Dr. Rosemarie Russo, the city’s new sustainability director.
Russo is developing an outreach program, “Green to Gold,” to help organizations, community members, and businesses access renewable resources and conserve energy. Information about the new programs will be posted on the city’s website and available at Moab City Hall.
The first 500 residents interested in obtaining a wattsmart kit for their homes, can send a request (i.e., name, mailing address and RMP account number) to Rosemarie Russo, rrusso@moabcity.org. Kits include four LED bulbs that use 75 percent less energy, and high-performance showerheads (in homes with electric water heating.)
Businesses and residents interested in information about upcoming wattsmart workshops and energy rebates should contact Russo by email at: rrusso@moabcity.org.
City, utility form partnership to reach energy goals
