Hurricane power board recommends UAMPS alternate, orders full rate study and reviews solar policy

City of Hurricane Power Board members recommended adding Michael Ramirez as an additional alternate representative to UAMPS and directed staff to start a full electric rate study while discussing solar policy for multifamily buildings, impact-fee work and several substation and distribution projects.

The recommendation to appoint Michael Ramirez came after board members said Brian — the board’s long-serving UAMPS alternate — is willing to remain as a secondary alternate while Ramirez “learns the ropes.” Dave moved to appoint Ramirez and Tony seconded; the board approved the recommendation by voice vote and will forward the appointment to city council for final action.

Board members also authorized staff to solicit a full rate study. A staff speaker told the board, “We’re gonna start a rate study,” explaining the utility’s reserves and impact-fee fund have increased and the board is considering whether and how to reduce rates. The speaker said the last full rate-setting work that rebuilt the rate structure was several years ago and that staff has discussed hiring UFS to bid the study; UFS will propose a scope and price.

Why it matters: the rate study will analyze cost of service across customer classes and could recommend changes to tiered rates, solar crediting and other rate design elements. A staff member said a consultant indicated the utility currently credits behind-the-meter solar at about 4¢ per kilowatt-hour, and that a consultant study might recommend a higher credit.

Board members reviewed other ongoing work: a two-year capital facilities plan nearing completion, an impact-fee study (engineering by ICB with financial subcontractor LRP), and an internal discussion of whether to use more of the utility’s accumulated impact-fee funds. Staff said the impact-fee draft is near final and will be shared with board members for review before it goes to council.

The board also discussed an emerging issue for many municipal utilities: whether to allow roof-mounted solar on multifamily (multiunit) buildings. Staff said the utility’s current written policy does not allow solar on multifamily units; staff reported contacting peer utilities to compare approaches and will share collected data. One staff member described peers that require a production meter and many physical disconnects for a 24-unit building, noting substantial operational and metering complexity.

Several infrastructure updates were presented. Staff reported near-completion of the 3 Falls substation punch list, the recent installation of a new DMMS distribution meter at Brentwood, battery-bank maintenance needs (one battery bank is more than 20 years old and beginning to leak), and work to install bird-protection equipment under a grant-like program that reimburses materials and labor after installation and photo documentation.

On regional energy matters, board members reviewed UAMPS updates. UAMPS is preparing for EDAM market participation and the board heard that EDAM will require members to hold a resource margin equal to 15% of their load (a readiness requirement; fines for noncompliance begin in spring 2026). The board discussed short-term market purchases UAMPS offered; the board purchased a portion (roughly one-third of an estimated near-term need) concentrated in low-load hours and April–September months to avoid locking in very high summer high-load prices. Staff noted high market prices during peak hours (examples cited above $100–$120/MWh in some months) and described the purchase as a partial hedge rather than a full solution.

Other topics included hiring updates (a lineman from Minnesota is scheduled to start March 3), scholarships tied to a local solar project (the company pays $10,000 annually in scholarships: four $2,500 awards for seniors), and trenching/utility-conduit coordination questions related to 2800 West and 600 North roadway work where drilling and rock conditions may affect conduit placement. Several board members asked staff to coordinate with city public works staff (Arthur) about conduit left for traffic signals and future crossings.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to approve prior meeting minutes: moved and seconded; approved by voice vote. - Motion to recommend appointment of Michael Ramirez as an additional UAMPS alternate representative: moved by Dave, seconded by Tony; approved by voice vote. The board will forward the recommendation to city council for formal appointment.

The board adjourned to meet again next month.