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PUEBLO, Colo.—A delay in a new power plant could mean a temporary break for electricty consumers but less money for local governments.
Xcel Energy says leaking pipes will keep the Comanche 3 unit in Pueblo from starting up until early next year.
Xcel asked regulators to postpone part of a Jan. 1 rate increase designed to help pay for the plant. That means residential rates would go up $2.55 a month instead of $4.43.
The rest of the increase could kick in when the plant is on line.
The delay could cost Pueblo County $2 million next year and the city of Pueblo $300,000. Officials say they agreed not to tax the unit until the calendar year after it’s completed.
Neither has put that money in their budgets yet.
