Two new groups have formed in the last week to evaluate Boulder’s options for its energy future and, eventually, to recommend a path forward to voters.
Members of both groups say they plan to dig through the hundreds, if not thousands, of pages of consultants’ reports, memos and proposals generated by the city and Xcel Energy to determine the best option for the city.
Last year, the city’s 20-year franchise agreement with Xcel Energy expired. Now, the City Council is considering whether to renew its partnership with Xcel or start a municipal electric utility instead.
In either case, the city is looking to add more renewable energy into its power mix. Both options would require voter approval.
“What Boulder is doing is precedent-setting in terms of a community saying, ‘We really want to move into this new energy economy in a big way,'” said former Boulder Mayor Shaun McGrath, co-chairman of the newly formed Boulder Clean Energy Business Coalition.
The second new group, called Boulder Smart Energy Coalition, is made up of residents concerned about the risks of municipalization, said David Miller, who is chairing the group.
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