Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Projects And Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board hears progress on substation, AMI meters, solar queue and procurement rules
Summary
Staff briefed the Power Board on construction at the Grapevine substation, foundation pours, upcoming pole setting, AMI meter deployment (about 844–850 meters out), solar interconnections and Buy America compliance for a grant-funded Erie project.
At the December meeting staff provided a multi‑item operations and projects update covering substation construction, distribution upgrades, meter deployments and procurement compliance.
On the Grapevine/parkway substation work, Speaker 2 said five transmission poles arrived and five of seven foundations have been poured; crews have completed below‑grade work and will begin embankment and bus work next, with pole setting expected within about a week. He noted temporary storage and the installation of fencing to secure pole deliveries.
"All 5 trucks showed up at the same time so the last guy had to wait a bit," Speaker 2 said, describing delivery logistics. He added that crews drilled foundation holes about 18 feet deep and 7 feet in diameter and that grading and gravel placement are underway.
Staff gave an update on the AMI (advanced metering infrastructure) rollout: about 844–850 meters have been deployed to date, with initial targeting of large apartment complexes to enable remote reads and remote connect/disconnect functions. "The crews really like that feature so they don't have to go out and it's actually quicker response too," Speaker 2 said.
On distributed solar, staff reported 10 interconnection applications in October and four in November and warned of a possible December surge as some incentives change; approvals are being expedited where possible but installation and inspection timelines may prevent customers from meeting end‑of‑month credit deadlines.
For a grant‑funded project in the Erie area, Speaker 2 said Buy America/Build America (BABA) requirements mean all purchased materials must carry U.S. origin certification, forcing the city to order a dedicated set of compliant parts rather than using mixed inventory. Staff will track certificate documentation for billing and grant compliance.
The board also heard that the Fremont solar project had secured approvals from governing boards and work (including road cutting and transformer staging) is already underway. Staff said they will bring UAMPS contract amendments and an all‑requirements participation decision to the board in early 2026 for consideration.
The board did not take votes on the projects beyond routine agenda and minutes approvals; these items were presented for information and for staff follow up.
