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Kanosh council adopts WUI ordinance and signs up for UAMPS wind share
Summary
Kanosh adopted the 2024 Utah Wildland‑Urban Interface Code and approved purchasing an 85 kW share of a UAMPS/Invenergy wind project at an estimated 4¢/kWh to help lower costs and bolster evening generation; both votes were unanimous (5-0).
The Kanosh Town Council unanimously adopted the 2024 Utah Wildland‑Urban Interface Code and voted to participate in a municipal purchase of wind power through Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS) at its May 14 meeting.
Mayor Wenda Crabb presided as Council Member Brian Batt moved to adopt the town ordinance based on the 2024 WUI code; Council Member Tim White seconded and the motion passed in a 5‑0 roll call. The ordinance follows a public hearing in which one attendee asked clarifying questions that Council Member Dan DeGraffenried addressed.
Council Member Josh Whitaker presented a separate energy item: an opportunity for Kanosh, through UAMPS, to acquire an 85‑kilowatt share of a wind project in Idaho that generates about 64.5 megawatts from 43 turbines. Whitaker said the projected cost would be about 4 cents per kilowatt‑hour, versus the town's current average of 7–8 cents, and that wind output tends to be strongest in late afternoon and early evening, complementing the town’s solar resources.
The council agreed the 85 kW participation was appropriate for Kanosh’s needs and approved the purchase by motion (moved by Council Member Tim White, seconded by Council Member Brian Batt); the vote was 5‑0. Whitaker also noted a preliminary acquisition study would cost roughly $6,500 and would be split among participating UAMPS members to finalize contract terms.
Why it matters: the WUI ordinance is aimed at reducing wildfire risk in town-adjacent areas by aligning local building and defensible‑space requirements with the 2024 Utah WUI Code. The wind purchase is intended to lower the town’s energy costs during evening peak demand and diversify its power portfolio amid reliability concerns at larger regional resources.
Next steps: the town will complete any administrative steps to implement the ordinance and participate in the UAMPS acquisition process, including payment of the recommended portion of the preliminary study and finalizing contract terms.
