The Tribune recently reported that Rocky Mountain Power wants Utahns to pay 30% more for the next 18 months. Their reasoning: “The utility, which is part of PacifiCorp and owned by Warren Buffett’s (billionaire) Berkshire Hathaway Energy, cited rising fuel costs and the cost of new infrastructure as reasons for the historically large increase. Both coal and natural gas, which together provide the bulk of Utah’s energy, have seen large price increases and more volatile markets in recent years. Coal in particular has become harder to come by as mines have closed.”

As a taxpayer, parent, and citizen, I am outraged that RMP and the Utah Division of Air Quality plan to keep the Hunter and Huntington coal plants open until 2043 without investing in any pollution controls. This means continued air pollution in our beautiful state and negative impacts on our national parks, in violation of multiple federal air quality mandates. Instead, RMP and the Utah DAQ should be prioritizing reducing emissions and mitigating the climate crisis. Utah is not practicing good neighbor policy — its poor air quality is impacting neighboring states as well.

I applaud Governor Spencer Cox for taking a stand by stating, “Rocky Mountain Power’s proposed rate increase would be laughable if it weren’t so dangerous. This proposal is completely unacceptable. The audacity and lack of awareness of this request raises serious questions for RMP’s leadership. I will do everything in my power to ensure that a rate increase of this magnitude never sees the light of day.” He is the candidate for governor I will vote for because he puts the health, welfare and financial well-being of Utahns above businesses.

Maybe instead of letting all that clean energy go to California and other states, RMP could invest in the Millard Geothermal Power Plant (the largest in the United States), or just invest in more wind and solar infrastructure? RMP has been asking us to invest in their wind energy program for years, but what’s the benefit?

Citizens and Ratepayers: Don’t lie there, rub your eyes, cough, and use an inhaler to breathe. Demand that Governor Cox, the Public Utilities Commission, and your legislators demand that RMP use the best, cleanest, and least expensive sources of electricity.

Kathryn Kair, Sandy

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