In Brief: Bill to encourage sale of old power plants clears House

A measure designed to encourage utilities to sell aging coal-fired power plants rather than close them was approved by the House on Tuesday.

February 26, 20191 min read

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A measure designed to encourage utilities to sell aging coal-fired power plants rather than close them was approved by the House on Tuesday.

Representatives voted 50-8 in favor of SF 159, which would authorize the use of regulations to encourage companies like Rocky Mountain Power to sell old power plants.

The measure is seen as a way to keep aging coal-fired plants in operation —and employing workers — rather than having them closed down by their owners. Among other things, the bill would allow the state to encourage power utilities to buy energy produced by the older power plants. The bill would also reduce the amount of the cost utilities could pass on to their customers for the construction of new power plants if old power plants were simply closed.

The bill now heads to the Senate for a review of amendments added in the House.

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