Hurricane City Council celebrates 50 years of municipal power system success

The Hurricane City Council meeting on June 5, 2025, celebrated a significant milestone for the city's municipal power system, marking its 50th anniversary since its establishment in 1975. The discussion highlighted the history and growth of Hurricane's power infrastructure, which began with a local grocer's advocacy for a reliable power source to prevent losses from outages.

The council was informed that the original power system was inadequate, relying on a small wire from CALPAC that could only handle about one and a half megawatts. In response to these challenges, a dedicated two-man crew undertook the task of rebuilding the system, leading to the construction of the Clifton Wilson Substation, which remains operational today.

Over the years, Hurricane's power capacity has expanded significantly, peaking at 57 megawatts last year. The local control of the power system has allowed the city to maintain lower rates compared to investor-owned utilities, providing essential services such as streetlight maintenance and power for community events like Peach Days without additional charges.

The reliability of the Hurricane City power system has been impressive, with a reported reliability factor of 99.9995%. This level of service is comparable to industry standards, reflecting the city's commitment to providing dependable power to its residents.

As Hurricane City continues to grow, the council emphasized the importance of recognizing and celebrating the achievements of the power department, ensuring that the community remains informed about its vital role in the city's development.