There are many misconceptions about opposition to the proposed Tri-State/Xcel power line project that will originate in the San Luis Valley. Contrary to the media-fed perception, opposition to these power lines clearly transcends the interests of Trinchera Ranch owner Louis Bacon. In fact, Trinchera has made it very clear from the beginning that its environmental and conservationist commitment is to the entire valley, not just the ranch.
That is why our grassroots group, the Transmission Line Coalition (TLC), has eagerly joined forces with Trinchera to challenge and defeat this unnecessary project.
Clearly, this project threatens not only Bacon’s ranch but also many other people and groups in Alamosa, Costilla and Huerfano counties, most of whom already have voiced their concerns and have proposed less costly and more efficient alternatives, only to be overshadowed by the media’s apparent obsession with Bacon. Groups voicing concerns and opposition to the transmission lines include the Sangre de Cristo Chapter of the Sierra Club (Pueblo County); the San Luis Valley Ecosystems Council (Alamosa County); SLV Renewable Communities; the Sangre de Cristo Ranches ROA (Costilla County); The Land Rights Council (Costilla County); Save La Veta Valley; and the Majors Ranch POA (Huerfano County), as well as hundreds of individual home and business owners on both sides of La Veta Pass.
TLC opposes the Tri-State/Xcel plan to put mammoth 150-foot steel towers over LaVeta Pass. Instead, we favor upgrading existing lines to meet the reliability and redundancy needs of the valley. The real issue for Tri-State/Xcel is not in engineering the best, most logical and least environmentally offensive route; rather, for Xcel it appears to be strictly a matter of profit margin. There is more money to be made by Xcel from a new transmission line rather than a more prudent alternative.
TLC’s position is further buttressed by the administrative law judge’s recent recommendation to the PUC that the proposed transmission line does not have to transmit one single megawatt of power from renewable sources. Coincidentally, Xcel’s recently filed Amended Resource Plan backs away from the renewable energy commitment. Whereas much of the original support for the line was based on the promise of economic development and growth in the valley from the exportation of solar energy, the project would now be allowed to be completed without the use of renewables.
What was the official raison d’etre for a new, 150-mile transmission line is not a requirement for this project since the utilities have been given carte blanche to use other energy sources, including coal, natural gas or nuclear. Since there is no renewable requirement for the project to proceed, there also is no need for a new transmission corridor.
Studies have shown that needs in the valley can be met with upgrades to existing lines. But Xcel would realize huge profits from new transmission lines. Without the lines, it is just not worth it for them. That is the reason why alternative models of distribution and transmission do not generate support from the corporate utilities, because smaller-scale, distributive systems would not require a new transmission corridor to carry additional power, nor would they require the construction and placement of gigantic steel towers.
With this in mind, we strongly urge Xcel’s Colorado customers to carefully examine the Tri-State/Xcel plan, especially as it is now amended, and for our elected officials who already have voiced support for the project based heavily on the renewable energy component, to re-evaluate their positions. There is much more at stake than just one man’s ranch.
Robert and Sally Keller are Sangre de Cristo Ranch homeowners and TLC members.
