S7E2: Energy Innovation and Economic Development in Utah w/ Theresa Foxley

Our guest today calls herself an “unabashed promoter of Utah,”
and has the resume to back it up.





Theresa Foxley is a Utah native, and has spent her career
championing economic growth in Utah and serves her community
through numerous boards and initiatives. For example, Teresa's
commitment to business recruitment as the President and CEO of
the Economic Development Corporation of Utah brought numerous
corporations to the state, with an eye on the distribution of
economic impact for the entire state, especially rural Utah.





Theresa is currently Chief of Staff to rPlus Energies, a national
leader in utility scale, renewable energy, and energy storage
development.





She chats with host Frances Johnson this episode all about Utah’s
future in renewable energy, starting with the state's unique
demographics, infrastructure, and economic strengths. Teresa
shares insights on large-scale renewable projects, the balance
between growth and environmental stewardship, and the promising
intersection of renewable energy and economic development in
rural Utah. 


Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School
of Business and is produced by University FM.

Show Links:

Theresa Foxley | LinkedIn

rPlus Energies on LinkedIn

rPlus Energies Website

David Eccles School of Business (@ubusiness) • Instagram

Eccles Alumni Network (@ecclesalumni) • Instagram 


Episode Quotes:




How renewable energy bridges the gap between Utah's
economic growth and preserving the quality of life





[05:11] It is really important that we preserve these incredible
assets that we have, these beautiful physical natural assets that
we have as a state. I heard, over and over again, when I was
leading the economic development organization, Economic
Development Corporation EDC Utah, from employers that, gosh, I
knew I would find a great local workforce in Utah, but I'm so
pleasantly surprised at how easy it’s been for me to recruit
people in from out of state. I see it myself here now, being on
the leadership team of rPlus Energies and being involved in
our recruitment, how enthusiastic people are about, either,
relocating to Utah or how happy they are to be able to, now, have
a job in renewable energy in the state of Utah to be able to stay
here. We do have a number of team members who found their way to
rPlus Energies via another state and who seem to, kind of, say,
"I never thought I'd be in Utah, but now I never want to leave."





While renewable energy may create fewer jobs than thermal
power plants, it brings significant benefits to local
communities.





[Frances Johnson] [20:56]: In rural Utah, in
particular, what is the economic impact of bringing these
projects online?





[Theresa Foxley]: It's pretty significant. The
Green River Energy Center with an over $1 billion capital
investment really means significant impact to local property tax
revenue. And this is property tax revenue that can be utilized by
the taxing entities, the county, the school district, et cetera,
to invest in roads, libraries, schools. There's a very
significant injection of talent. During the construction process,
we'll have some 500 workers on site at peak for the Green River
Energy Center. And though you're correct in that the generating
facilities for renewable energy projects don't tend to have the
same number of jobs attached to them as maybe a thermal power
plant, there are a number of other ways that these projects do
benefit local communities, again, through their construction,
through local design, engineering, consulting work, law firms,
others that are hired to help to go and help support and to put
together the project financings and the construction of these
projects.





The future of renewable energy in Utah





[27:54]: And I just see Utah continuing to lead on this. We have
all of the ingredients to be successful leaders in this future
energy space because of the abundance of energy resources that
we've had, whether those have been resources that come from
underground or above ground, like solar and wind. I see a really
bright future for Utah and energy development here in the state.