Council Opens Public Hearing on Electrical Code Updates for EV Readiness

The City of Moab Regular Planning Commission Meeting held on August 14, 2025, focused on several key agenda items, including a public hearing regarding updates to local electrical codes, particularly concerning electric vehicle (EV) readiness.

The meeting commenced with the commission opening the public hearing at 6:42 PM. During this time, stakeholders from the community were invited to provide input. Although a potential participant was noted to be in the Zoom room, they were not present to comment on the specific agenda item.

The commission discussed feedback received from two stakeholders: an architect and an electrician. The architect found the proposed updates to be well-structured and comprehensive. The electrician indicated that the commission was on the right track with the updates, noting that the National Electrical Code (NEC) is in the process of adopting standards that would align with the proposed local regulations. This suggests that Moab's efforts may be ahead of the curve, as the NEC emphasizes the importance of EV readiness in building codes.

The electrician's comments highlighted that while the NEC has not yet formally adopted these standards, the commission plans to proceed with the current updates. Should the NEC's standards be adopted in the future, the commission may repeal the local section to align with state standards.

After the public hearing, which concluded at 6:45 PM with no public comments, the commission moved into deliberation. The discussions indicated a commitment to ensuring that local codes not only meet current safety standards but also future-proof the electrical systems in Moab.

Overall, the meeting underscored the commission's proactive approach to adapting local regulations in line with evolving national standards, particularly in the context of increasing electric vehicle usage. Further discussions and decisions will likely follow as the commission continues to refine these updates.