Tocqueville City discusses creation of municipal power department for new solar project

The Toquerville City Council meeting held on May 7, 2025, focused on the city's potential transition to a municipal power system, primarily driven by a proposed solar energy project. The discussions centered around the city's partnership with Rocky Mountain Power and the implications of developing a local power department.

Key points included the plan to lease 800 acres for solar energy generation, which could provide between 8 to 20 megawatts of power depending on site conditions. The developer emphasized that they would cover the infrastructure costs, including transformers and wiring, while the city would be responsible for managing the retail distribution of electricity.

Council members raised questions about the logistics of power sales, with the developer explaining that the city would initially purchase power from Rocky Mountain Power and could sell any excess generated power back to them or other municipalities. The developer also noted that the city would need to contract with the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS) to secure additional power as needed.

Concerns were expressed regarding the financial viability of establishing a municipal power department. The developer assured council members that the rates for electricity would be competitive, potentially lower than those offered by Rocky Mountain Power. However, the council acknowledged the complexities involved in transitioning to a municipal power system, including staffing and operational costs.

The meeting concluded with a consensus that while the solar project presents an opportunity for energy independence, careful planning and consideration of the city's capacity to manage a power department would be essential. The council plans to further explore the feasibility of this initiative in future meetings.