All Roll Calls
Yes: 188 • No: 5
UtahH.B. 702025 General SessionHouse
Decommissioned Asset Disposition Amendments
Sponsored By: R. Neil Walter (Republican)
Signed by Governor
EnergyPublic Utilities and TechnologyInterlocal Entities
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
New Utah council manages energy assets
The law replaces the prior asset-disposition authority and study with the Utah Energy Council, effective upon the governor's approval. The five-member council meets at least quarterly and supports power plants, transmission lines, energy storage, and related infrastructure. It plans for and manages transferred assets, can buy and sell related property, manages contracts, and selects operators. It also reviews infrastructure needs, economic viability, public-health effects, and energy-policy changes. Annual reports go to legislative committees, including an October 31 report on activities, investment decisions, and spending; asset reporting covers operations, finances, contracts, and environmental compliance.
Coal plant operators face bidding standards
The council must post operator requests on Utah's public notice website and allow at least 60 days for proposals. Bidders need at least 10 years of coal plant experience, financial strength, and a commitment to substantial Utah operations. They must show skills in similar coal types, Western coal markets and transportation, environmental compliance, reliable power, worker retention, and transmission coordination. A technical review committee supports review, and the council considers costs, reliability, environmental performance, safety, local benefits, and takeover timing. The council can reject every proposal or end the process; these rules took effect upon the governor's approval.
Coal plants must preserve operating capability
Coal plant project entities must maintain equipment that supplies the plant's own power and keep at least one operational coal unit connected. They must preserve key switchyard and grid equipment so other units can restart without a new grid-connection request. Intentional disabling is prohibited. Permitted gas or hydrogen transitions can break these maintenance rules only when a permitting authority specifically requires it as essential. No feasible alternative that avoids breaking the rules can exist.
Power plants gain options with permit limits
Project entities with pre-existing and transition permits for multi-unit plants can apply for an alternative permit covering several operating plans. Applications must include the transition plan and an option running the new plant at full capacity while older units operate within stated limits. The Division of Air Quality reviews applications independently using updated modeling and rules; capacity cuts are limited to avoiding federal major-modification thresholds. Existing shutdown and maintenance conditions remain until sale or completion of legal challenges and filing deadlines; denial or partial invalidation preserves applicable conditions. Project entities must submit federal permit-change documents by the Division's deadlines.
Utah gets first chance at retiring assets
Project entities must give lawmakers at least 180 days' notice before selling or otherwise disposing of covered assets or decommissioning coal facilities. They must offer Utah assets intended for decommissioning at fair market value for at least two years beginning July 2, 2025. Utah does not have to buy, and the law provides no purchase funding. When the council acquires an asset, it must make an agreement covering its transfer, disposition, and future operation. That agreement must protect the project entity's ownership and operation of gas- or hydrogen-powered facilities.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
R. Neil Walter
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Derrin R. Owens
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/5/2025
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 65 • No: 2
Senate vote • 3/5/2025
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 22 • No: 1
Senate vote • 3/4/2025
Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2025
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 1
House vote • 2/27/2025
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2025
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2025
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 69 • No: 1
House vote • 2/18/2025
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/7/2025
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 10 • No: 0
House vote • 2/7/2025
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 10 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/24/2025House/ to Governor
3/12/2025HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/12/2025HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/12/2025HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/12/2025Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/6/2025Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/6/2025House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
3/6/2025HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/6/2025HouseSenate/ to House
3/6/2025SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/6/2025SenateSenate/ received from House
3/6/2025SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ concurs with Senate amendment
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/5/2025HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
3/5/2025SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/5/2025SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/5/2025SenateSenate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
3/5/2025SenateSenate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules
3/5/2025SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
3/5/2025SenateSenate/ comm rpt/ amended
3/5/2025SenateSenate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
3/4/2025SenateSenate Comm - Amendment Recommendation
3/4/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/12/2025
Amended 3/4/2025 19:03:395
3/4/2025
Substitute #2
2/27/2025
Substitute #1
2/3/2025
Introduced
12/27/2024