As of May 7, a new Utah law is reshaping how the state’s power grid evolves, and it could bring long-term benefits for businesses and developers. Utah House Bill 212, now in effect, promotes the use of advanced technologies in electric transmission systems. At Hunt Electric, we see this as a major step toward a more reliable, efficient, and resilient grid, and a development worth knowing about as we design and plan future projects.
What the Law Does
HB 212 updates Utah’s Energy Resource Procurement Act by requiring large-scale electric utilities, like Rocky Mountain Power, to evaluate advanced transmission technologies and use them when they’re cost-effective. These technologies include:
- Smart grid controls that optimize how electricity flows
- Real-time sensors that boost efficiency and prevent overload
- High-performance conductors that carry more power
- Energy storage systems that help balance demand
- Software that reroutes power to avoid congestion
Utilities must now analyze these options when proposing transmission upgrades and submit that analysis to the Utah Public Service Commission. If the commission finds the plan cost-effective, the utility is authorized to recover its investment and move forward.
What This Means for You
With HB 212 in place, utilities are incentivized to modernize faster and smarter, creating opportunities for energy users across industries. The benefits of this include:
- More stable power delivery and fewer bottlenecks
- Better integration for renewable or distributed energy projects
- Enhanced system reliability and wildfire risk reduction
- Greater grid flexibility for growing energy demands
This shift opens the door to smarter energy planning and a more resilient foundation for future growth for developers, facility managers, and energy decision-makers.
Hunt Electric Is Plugged In
We closely monitor legislative and utility developments, so our clients don’t have to. Whether you’re preparing to scale, integrate renewables, or want to understand better what these changes mean for you and your energy costs and infrastructure, our team is ready to support you.
Our High Voltage Division specializes in designing, building, and maintaining transmission and distribution infrastructure, the same systems now being prioritized under Utah HB 212. We also collaborate with our ICC Division to deliver custom utility control systems and control houses for substation projects that support the goals outlined in this new law.
When transmission systems evolve, we help clients evolve with them. Have questions or want to explore opportunities tied to grid modernization? Let’s connect.