Board recommends UAMPS financing for Central Saint George transmission upgrades; local share estimated at $2.18M

The Hurricane City Power Board voted to recommend that City Council approve revisions to Exhibit C of the UAMPS Central Saint George project and to use UAMPS (the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems) financing for the project rather than paying Hurricane’s share up front.

Staff described Exhibit C changes as increasing regional transmission and substation capacity, including a new 345 kV transformer at the Saint George substation, rerouting and reconductoring lines (including a Santa Clara–Snow Canyon reroute) and other transformer upgrades. Staff presented a 2025 bond package covering two phases; the total program cost for the full project was presented as about $30 million and Hurricane’s share of the 2025 portion (14.62%) was stated as $2,178,000.38.

Board members discussed whether PacifiCorp (referred to by some attendees as Pacific Corp) or Rocky Mountain Power had originally been expected to pay portions of the 345 kV upgrades; staff said that historical discussions on that point were unclear in the packet and that additional legal/financial review may be necessary. The board also reviewed that after older bond obligations drop off, the newer 2027 bond could raise the city’s annual debt service nearer to $400,000 depending on final bond structure.

After discussion, a motion to recommend council approval of the Exhibit C changes and to elect UAMPS financing passed by voice vote. The decision is a recommendation only; final bonding terms and the council’s choice of paying cash versus bonding remain for the City Council to decide.