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# **Legislative Session Update**
Our first bill of the session is on the move! SB 189 (Net Metering Energy Amendments) requires Rocky Mountain Power to **fairly credit residents for generating excess energy through rooftop solar. **
This would provide a stable rate, allowing residents to make the best financial decisions, and incentivize installing rooftop solar — one of the most effective ways of reducing our carbon footprint and lowering utility bills.
Last week, SB 189 passed the Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee. A great first step, but there is still a ways to go.
### **How can you help?**
**Contact your Senator!** This bill is moving quickly to the Senate floor and we need as much support as possible.
Identify yourself as a constituent, include where you live, let your Senator know the **importance of rooftop solar for our air quality and economy, and ask them to vote YES on SB 189.**
Find Your Senator ([link removed])
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### **Talking Points**
* Utahns must be compensated appropriately and incentivized to install rooftop solar — one of the most effective ways of reducing our carbon footprint and lowering utility bills.
* Providing Utahns with a stable and fair rate will allow them to make the best financial decisions for themselves.
* SB 189 would fairly credit customers for excess solar-generated energy, making solar more accessible for all Utahns.
* Rocky Mountain Power has monopolized the energy market and does not provide full retail rates to residents for energy they send back to the grid. If you have solar panels, Rocky Mountain Power only credits you about half the retail rate before selling it back to your neighbors for double.
----------In addition, we are focusing on a number of other bills behind the scenes, but **SB 189 currently needs the most attention and effort from you — the community. **
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# **Annual Report**
2023 represented O₂ Utah’s most successful year! And we’re excited to share those accomplishments with you.
2023 Annual Report ([link removed])
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### **2023 Highlights**
* Endorsed 19 candidates across 11 municipalities
* Commit-to-Vote program activated low-frequency environmental voters, yielding a voting rate of 48.42%
* Wrote and passed HB 220 — the most impactful air quality bill in our state in decades!
* 350 volunteers joined O₂ Utah for events, election work, and citizen lobbying
* Increased fundraising and number of donors
----------Thank you to all of you, our community, for helping us grow and increase our impact as we elect environmental champions and pass bold air quality legislation.
# **O₂ and You Podcast**
**The O₂ Utah Foundation is honored to be Mark Miller Subaru's Loves the Earth nonprofit partner this year.**
To kick off the partnership, Jeff Miller, CEO and general manager of Mark Miller Subaru, joined the O₂ and You Podcast to discuss the dealership's Love Promise program, their B Corp status, the current state and future of the electric vehicle market, and more!
Listen Here ([link removed])
Give it a like, subscribe, and five stars if you enjoy the episode!
Be on the lookout for ways to get involved with O₂ Utah and Mark Miller Subaru throughout the year.
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# **Great Salt Lake Community Lobbying**
Great Basin Water Network and other community organizations are hosting two great education and lobbying opportunities this week.
**Virtual GSL Legislative Update and Lobby Training** on Thursday, February 15, from 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Special guest Tom Moyer from the Citizens Climate Lobby will kick things off, followed by a discussion of key bills and an opportunity to write to Utah lawmakers.
Register Here ([link removed])
**Great Salt Lake Lobby Day** on Friday, February 16, from 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
You’ll be briefed on the latest regarding GSL legislation, then head out in teams to lobby legislators in person!
Register Here ([link removed])
# **Art Market**
Thank you to our community members, 14 wonderful local artists and small businesses, and Save Our Canyons for making the Art Market happen!
Be on the lookout for more community events coming soon.
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O₂ Utah is an environmental nonprofit whose mission is to clean our state's air and eliminate our contributions to climate change through elections and policy. [Donate Today]([link removed]) to support our work and clean Utah's air.
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