Xcel Energy’s decision to walk away from a $180 million power line project is good news for the historic Trinchera Ranch and owner Louis Bacon, but the danger to the scenic treasure is not over.
That’s because another utility, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, is still interested in the idea.
That’s an unfortunate and, in our view, unnecessary development.
Xcel announced its intention to abandon its Southern Colorado Transmission Project in a filing with the Public Utilities Commission earlier this week.
The proposal still needs PUC approval, but from the filing it’s clear that the power line running from the San Luis Valley up and over La Veta Pass no longer fits into Xcel’s plans, for a variety of reasons.
Not so for Tri-State, which is Colorado’s second-largest power provider.
Tri-state has previously said the line is necessary to increase reliability in the valley .
A spokesman for the utility told The Denver Post’s Aldo Svaldi Tuesday that moving forward without building the new line was not an option.
“We will continue to look at every option available to make sure we can deliver power through southern Colorado and northern New Mexico,” said Lee Boughey.
Given the specter of going through a PUC approval process once again and the prospect of ongoing legal action, that may not be the most advisable course.
We have previously opposed the plan for the line, in part because of questionable claims as to its necessity but also because it would scar the historic ranch, which is among the largest in Colorado.
But we also have supported the prospect of developing solar energy projects in the valley and of alternate transmission routes.
Alamosa County Commissioner Darius Allen told The Pueblo Chieftain that Xcel’s announcement did not represent a death blow to solar in the valley.
We hope he’s right.
The area has long been seen as one of the most conducive spots in the nation for solar development, and the industry can provide needed economic development and diversity to the region.
Boughey said Xcel’s decision would likely force them to scale back the project and recertify it with the PUC.
A scaled-back project, in our view, might lend more credence to the idea of transmitting the solar energy and increasing reliability in the existing corridor.
Xcel’s move provides a new opening in this long-running debate.
Tri-State officials should take Bacon’s people up on the offer of sitting down and coming up with an acceptable compromise.
In the end, they might find the elusive “win-win” that is so often talked about but rarely delivered.
