UGREEN

OVERVIEW

The Utah Generated Renewable Energy Electricity Network Authority (UGREEN), was created during the 2009 Legislative Session to provide a mechanism for financing renewable energy transmission projects in the State of Utah In order to ensure efficiency, efficacy and comprehensive coverage of renewable energy issues in the State, UGREEN works closely with the Office of Energy Development (OED)/Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), which has absorbed the former State Energy Program In May 2011, the board appointed a new Special Advisor Having established the organizational and structural framework for operations in previous years, during 2011 UGREEN is preparing for the exercise of the bond issuance authority incorporated within its creation by Senate Bill 76, with the objectives of financing, in whole or in part, a qualifying transmission project Bonding and other financial alternatives, being analyzed by UGREEN, will give renewable energy developers the capability to connect their power generation plants to the existing energy grid, in order to market their renewable energy resources During 2010, UGREEN was nominated by Governor Herbert’s Energy Initiative Task Force to staff the Transmission, Infrastructure and Transportation Subcommittee During 2011, UGREEN has again been incorporated into the Governor’s Energy Task Force for Utah’s 10-Year Energy Plan – Phase II, led by OED/DEQ UGREEN and OED/DEQ are collaborating on a joint project portfolio formulation, involving the integration of renewable energy generation projects (to be managed and tracked by OED/DEQ) and transmission/distribution projects (to be managed and tracked by UGREEN )

UGREEN continues to interact with high-caliber companies seeking to develop renewable energy infrastructure in Utah and is providing technical and financial support for their transmission needs, as appropriate Following Utah’s Economic Development Plan objective to increase innovation, entrepreneurship and investment, UGREEN is also in close relationship with companies that are innovating in energy solutions, incorporating new technological breakthroughs and cutting-edge processes, involving renewable energy solutions for more efficient and cost-competitive generation, storage capabilities and reliability UGREEN is getting increasingly active in regional initiatives with other Western States Infrastructure Authorities, to consolidate alliances toward mutual interests and benefits UGREEN is following a worldwide vision toward facilitating in Utah foreign investments from countries clearly interested in development of renewable energy It offers a unique way for project developers, locally and internationally, to take advantage of Utah’s vast renewable resources Whenever those resources are remote, UGREEN provides assistance to connect them to the grid, so that the projects become feasible from a business and marketing perspective, as well as to enable benefits for the citizens and the economy, taking into account the world global environmental priorities

For additional information about UGREEN visit business.utah.gov/programs/ugreen or contact Gerardo Zepeda-Bermudez, Special Advisor, at gzepeda@utah.gov or (801) 739-5191