Utah Valley: Heart of Utah

PROVO CITY
POWER
✧
Right: Provo City Power Plant, c. 1949.
Below: Current Peaking Power Plant for
Provo Power. The smoke stacks were
decommissioned over twenty years ago.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF BRAYDON BALL.
UTAH VALLEY: HEART
202
On April 1, 1940, Provo City Power began
electrical generation as its own public power
utility. It was a pivotal moment in Provo’s
history and was a turning point in the
economic development for the City of Provo.
Although there was electricity available
during the late 1800s and early 1900s, electricity
was a luxury item that not everyone
could afford. In 1916 the only electrical
provider along the Wasatch Front was Utah
Power & Light (UP&L). At that time,
electricity was in the process of becoming
not the plaything or luxury of the rich, but
a potential necessity within the reach of
all consumers.
In 1939, Mayor Anderson (who became
the mayor in 1935 for four consecutive
terms) along with the work and dedication
of several committees made up of Provo
citizens won a seven year legal battle in the
Supreme Court that ruled in favor of Provo to
own and operate what is known as “Provo
Power.” The mayor and committees worked
tirelessly conducting several surveys, investigating
financial options, and petitioned
residents to sign and vote for public power to
overcome major opposition and lawsuits
from private investor-owned companies.
of UTAH
So what does having public power actually
mean? Public power is:
• Locally owned
• Locally controlled
• Reliable electrical service
• Competitive rates
A testament in history of what the vision of
public power was supposed to be, Judge Ballif
is quoted as saying: “I am of the opinion
that voters of Provo are in a position to, and
should declare what they want for themselves
without interference at least from this court.”
Another major benefit of public power is
the reduced tax burden. Profits are not paid
to private investors or stockholders, rather
annually, Provo City Power transfers eleven
percent of revenues (about $6 million
dollars) to the City of Provo for the use in
city services including police and fire, city
infrastructure and equipment. Without the
annual transfer, taxes would have to be raised
to help cover the costs associated with running
the city and having resources available.
History has played a huge part in the
success of Provo City Power, but we also
recognize the employees of Provo City Power
who have contributed immensely in that
success as well. There is a sense of pride and
ownership by all employees, board members
and city leadership.
Provo City Power celebrates providing
competitive, reliable public power to the
residents and businesses of Provo for over
seventy-five years.