Council briefed on new UAMPS day‑ahead market rules as Ephraim sees rising electricity demand

Ephraim’s Power Director told the City Council that a revised Power Pooling Agreement with the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems is required as the agency prepares to participate in the Energy Day‑Ahead Market on May 1.

Cory Daniels reviewed key changes: participants must forecast and plan for their own load needs; UAMPS is authorized to procure power as needed; direct, participant‑specific costs for shortfalls will be charged to individual members; and shared costs will be allocated by load ratio. The agreement also creates a Project Management Committee with a single voting representative per member and establishes transparency and audit requirements.

Daniels told the council Ephraim is experiencing roughly 8% annual load growth and said the new structure increases the need for proactive local resource and procurement planning. No final council action was taken; Daniels said formal council approval will be required at a future meeting before the May 1 effective date.

Council discussion focused on implications for budgeting, forecasting and responsibility for market purchases under shortfall conditions. Staff recommended additional planning and coordination with UAMPS ahead of the market start date.