Negotiations between the City of Boulder and Xcel Energy over a new franchise for the utility and a new wind farm for the city have collapsed.
“We’re very disappointed we could not reach agreement with Boulder on a proposal to provide the city with 90 percent renewable energy within nine years,” Xcel, the state’s largest utility, said in a statement.
Last fall, Boulder decided not to give Xcel another 20-year franchise to provide electricity to the city and began exploring the option of setting up a municipal utility.
A major goal was to increase the city’s use of renewable energy.
Xcel offered to build a wind farm dedicated to Boulder that would have been equal to 90 percent of its energy consumption.
Boulder customers would have been responsible for the costs in running the wind farm — equal to about $4 a month for the average residential customer.
The key point of dispute between the city and Xcel was how the offer would be presented to Boulder voters.
Xcel wanted two separate items on the ballot — one for a new franchise and one for the wind project.
“We have always felt Boulder voters should have the choice,” Michelle Aguayo, an Xcel spokeswoman, said.
Boulder officials, however, said that was “contrary to the goals Boulder wants to achieve.”
“We know that a franchise by itself would tie the city to a long-term energy future that remains largely dependent on investments in coal and a business model that prevents local communities from making decisions,” City Manger Jane Brautigam said in a statement.
Mark Jaffe: 303-954-1912 or MJaffe@denverpost.com
