Opponents and backers of a proposed power line linking Pueblo to Alamosa kept their punches flying even as the final bell on arguments rang Monday.
“Public Service’s exceptions to the recommended decision prove that this project is about one thing, and one thing only — maximizing profit,” Trinchera Ranch, the lead opponent to the line, said in its final response Monday.
Xcel Energy, the corporate parent of Public Service Co. of Colorado, and Tri-State Generation and Transmission, which prefer a route over La Veta Pass into the San Luis Valley, countered that Trinchera’s arguments ignored the evidence and were not “significantly material.”
“They are consistent with the opposition’s continued efforts to delay this project,” said Xcel spokesman Mark Stutz.
Trinchera Ranch owner Louis Bacon and others in the affected area prefer that the line run north along a utility corridor over Poncha Pass.
Administrative-law Judge Mana Jennings-Fader approved a certification of public convenience and necessity for the line in November, with the condition that Xcel carry 700 megawatts of electricity on it within 10 years.
If it didn’t, Xcel ratepayers would get back half the construction costs, about $75 million.
Xcel rejected that requirement on the grounds that the utility can’t control future power generation in the area and that the decision should have been straight up or down, without conditions.
“The 700 MW condition is inconsistent with Colorado law and public policy,” Xcel said in its response.
Opponents jumped on Xcel’s threat to walk away as proof that the line isn’t necessary and evidence that the utility is interested only in building up its rate base so it can pass more return on to shareholders.
To bolster their case, they accuse Xcel of backing away from its commitment to export solar energy out of the San Luis Valley, the original justification for the line.
Xcel, which said it would export 1,129 megawatts of solar-generated electricity last February, now is committing to 60 megawatts from the valley, according to November amendments to its resource plan, said Trin chera spokesman Cody Wertz.
Tri-State, for its part, accused Trin chera Ranch of a divide-and-conquer strategy and called its proposed northern route problematic and costly, given that the two utilities already have three lines in that area.
Public Utility Commissioners Ron Binz and Matt Baker must rule on the various arguments and counterarguments and whether the judge overstepped her bounds in the conditions she attached. Commissioner James Tarpey has recused himself.
“It will be based on the evidence presented on this case and on the legal arguments that have been made,” PUC spokesman Terry Bote said.
Aldo Svaldi: 303-954-1410 or asvaldi@denverpost.com
