PacifiCorp to Sell Washington Power Plants and Wind Farms

Utah lawmakers call the move a 'good thing' for the state, but clean energy advocates warn it could raise utility bills.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

PacifiCorp, the parent company of Utah's largest electricity provider Rocky Mountain Power, announced it will sell its wind farms, natural gas plants, and power infrastructure in Washington state to Portland General Electric for $1.9 billion. Utah's legislative leadership praised the move as a win for states with more conservative energy policies, but renewable energy advocates say it may backfire for local ratepayers.

Why it matters

The sale is seen as a step toward Utah 'divorcing' from coastal states with more liberal energy policies, like Washington's Climate Commitment Act. However, the competing policies between states have created tension for PacifiCorp, as they disagree over who will absorb shifting costs across the company's service area.

The details

PacifiCorp operates in several Western states, but its biggest customer base is in Utah. Washington has rejected energy purchases from coal-fired power plants and is set to phase out fossil fuels, while Utah is exploring ways to keep its coal plants operational. Utah leaders want to expand the state's role as a national energy exporter, but clean energy advocates warn that cutting off Washington could impact electricity rates for customers.

  • PacifiCorp announced the sale on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • Washington's Climate Commitment Act significantly capped the amount of energy the state can use from sources that produce greenhouse gases, effective January 1, 2026.
  • Oregon is set to reject energy purchases from coal-fired power plants by 2030.

The players

PacifiCorp

The parent company of Utah's largest electricity provider, Rocky Mountain Power. PacifiCorp operates in several Western states, including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, and small parts of California.

Portland General Electric

The utility company that is purchasing PacifiCorp's wind farms, natural gas plants, and power infrastructure in Washington state for $1.9 billion.

Scott Sandall

A Republican state senator from Tremonton, Utah, who praised the Washington sale as a win for states with more conservative energy policies.

Mike Schultz

The Republican Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives, who repeated a talking point about wanting a 'divorce' from the three states that 'don't look like Utah'.

Logan Mitchell

An energy analyst with Utah Clean Energy who expressed doubts that cutting off Washington will not impact electricity rates for customers.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Based on diverging political views, this is a really good thing for the state of Utah.”

— Scott Sandall, State Senator (castlecountryradio.com)

“We want a divorce from the three states that don't look like Utah. This is the first step forward.”

— Mike Schultz, Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives (castlecountryradio.com)

“This will improve the company's financial stability while simplifying our operations to support our long-term commitment to customers in each of our remaining states.”

— Darin Carroll, CEO of PacifiCorp (castlecountryradio.com)

“Utah's on track to be the energy capital of the world. Rocky Mountain [Power] sees the future of energy, and that future's in Utah.”

— Stuart Adams, Utah Senate President (castlecountryradio.com)

“Our customers who are importing our energy say they want clean energy. Utah wants to be an energy exporter, but if we can't figure out how to provide what our customers want, we're not going to be able to sell energy to them.”

— Logan Mitchell, Energy Analyst, Utah Clean Energy (castlecountryradio.com)

What’s next

The sale of PacifiCorp's Washington assets to Portland General Electric will take up to a year to finalize.

The takeaway

The PacifiCorp sale highlights the growing divide between Utah's conservative energy policies and the more progressive policies of neighboring states like Washington. While Utah sees the move as a win, clean energy advocates warn it could ultimately lead to higher utility bills for customers as the costs of maintaining power plants are shifted to a smaller customer base.