In This Issue:

Understanding KMPUD's Electric Rates

KMPUD recently completed its five-year electric rate study, with updated rates taking effect on July 1, 2026. We understand that changes to utility rates often raise questions, so we'd like to provide some background on how electric rates are structured and why the Board made these decisions.

Why is KMPUD Different?

Although KMPUD serves a small mountain community, we operate and maintain an electric system comparable in complexity to much larger utilities. This includes substations, transformers, underground distribution lines, and a 25-mile transmission interconnection that connects Kirkwood to California's electric grid.

How Your Electric Bill is Structured:

Your monthly electric bill consists of three components:

1. Base Rate – Covers fixed costs such as infrastructure, debt repayment, and maintaining the electric system.

2. Usage Rate – Covers the cost of purchasing electricity and other expenses that vary with energy consumption.

3. Meter Charge – Covers metering and billing services.

Recovering most fixed costs through the Base Rate helps keep KMPUD financially stable while allowing the Usage Rate to remain relatively low. This makes electricity more affordable for customers who choose electric vehicles, heat pumps, induction cooking, and other electric technologies.

As part of the FY2027 rate study, the Board adopted a new method for determining residential Base Rates.

Previously, residential Base Rates were largely based on a home's historical electricity usage. Over time, this created inconsistencies, particularly when homes changed ownership, occupancy patterns shifted, or homeowners added new electric appliances.

Beginning July 1, 2026, residential Base Rates are based primarily on the size of a home's electrical service rather than its historical energy use. Most homes, those with electrical service of 200 amps or less are assigned one Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU), creating a simpler and more consistent system for allocating fixed costs.

Looking Toward the Future

When KMPUD built the interconnection to the California electric grid, it was designed with room for future growth. Today, the system has significantly more capacity than is currently being used.

As more homes and businesses adopt electric vehicles, heat pumps, induction cooking, and other electric technologies, increased electric usage helps spread fixed costs over more energy sales. Over time, that additional revenue can accelerate repayment of the District's remaining debt and reduce long-term pressure on Base Rates.

Learn More

KMPUD is committed to transparency and helping customers understand how their electric utility operates. Additional information, including answers to frequently asked questions about electric rates, is available on the District's website or by contacting the KMPUD office.

Join the Kirkwood Volunteer Fire Department for our first ever Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, July 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the KVFD Fire House on Loop Road. Enjoy a delicious breakfast while supporting the dedicated volunteers who help protect our community year-round. Tickets may be purchased in advance by making a donation to KVFD for the cost of the tickets, plus any additional contribution you would like to make in support of the department. Tickets will also be available at the event, and we gladly accept cash, checks, and credit cards. Proceeds directly benefit the Kirkwood Volunteer Fire Department, helping us continue to serve and protect our community. Bring your family and friends for a great morning of food, fellowship, and community support. Ticket prices are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, military personnel, and first responders, $15 for children ages 4–12, and free for toddlers ages 3 and under.

Purchase tickets HERE or by scanning the QR code on the flyer. 

Important Reminder: Many electronic products (computers, cell phones, tablets, etc.) are used to store personal information. Before donating or recycling your equipment, remember to remove all sensitive and personal information from its memory. Note that simply using your keyboard or mouse to delete files does not necessarily completely remove the information from your device’s memory. Your local software store can provide you with the necessary drive cleaning software appropriate for your system.

Where to Recycle?
Use the eRecycle directory to find an e-waste collector in your area.

KMPUD crews will be doing vegetation management in utility easements throughout the Valley this summer.  KMPUD has easements throughout the valley over utility pipes and lines and around surface mounted equipment, such as electric transformers. To ensure the reliable, safe delivery of utilities, KMPUD must manage the vegetation on these easements. 

Typical vegetation management that you can expect see includes removing vegetation in a four-foot radius around surface equipment and removing trees and shrubs from easements above utility pipes and lines so that roots don’t grow into the infrastructure and cause damage to equipment, or in the case of sewer lines, sewage spills.  

This work will be done with hand and power tools.  If you have questions, please call the District office at (209) 258-4444

Please make sure to stop by and read the signage on the KMPUD Dumpsters.

Each year, we activate the irrigation system in June, keeping it on for about four months before switching it off in the fall. If your property has irrigation services, remember to personally check that your irrigation water is on before arranging for services requiring exterior water.

The KMPUD board in its June meeting focused on the following: 

1. Electric rates — We voted to approve the new electric rates to take effect in July: a lower per-KWH usage rate of $0.21 (current is $0.24) and a new approach to setting residential base rates that is no longer tied to past usage levels.  You can read the full electric rate study and view the summary presentation in the board packet HERE.

2. Budget 2027 — We voted to approve the budget for 2027 fiscal year, which starts in July, both operating and capital budget. You can review the budget documents in the board packet HERE. This included specific discussions on snow removal: expense budget, HOA allocations, and a lease of an additional Maclean (a small "trackless" snow blower).

Kirkwood is your District and your input and participation are valuable. Click here to view the Community Calendar of upcoming Board and Committee meetings. We encourage your participation at our meetings. Click here to learn about the agenda and click here to access past Board of Directors meetings. 

Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District

209-258-4444 / info@kmpud.com / www.kmpud.com