The Rocky Mountain Power Company, originally known as the Utah Power and Light Company, was organized in September 1912. At that time there were many individual companies and municipal power systems serving only a fraction of the area now served by Rocky Mountain Power. Service centered in urban areas and most places only had partial service. Between 1912 and 1938, Utah Power and Light bought or leased these small, independent power facilities to form a unified network of electric service to Utah, parts of Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado. Expanded electric service encouraged the development not only of industry, but also the introduction of modern conveniences such as water heaters, refrigerators, and street lighting. Utah Power and Light also extended service to rural areas where farmers used electricity to pump irrigation water.
From the guide to the Rocky Mountain Power Company records, 1876-1992, (J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah)
