(Editor’s note: The fifth paragraph of this guest opinion has been revised by the author to reflect a change in ballot language after the original version was drafted.)
On the evening of Wednesday, April 5, I stood before Boulder City Council and proposed on behalf of Xcel Energy, should we agree to a partnership, that we would help the city achieve its goal of delivering 100 percent renewable electricity to our Boulder customers by 2030. Our proposal was sincere and we remain committed to working with Colorado communities that are setting similar aspirations.
Under our recently announced Colorado Energy Plan, Xcel Energy’s electricity supply could be 55 percent renewable by 2026, making the goal of being completely carbon-free much more within reach. If approved, our plan would secure long-term and low-cost power for customers. We aim to add 1 gigawatt of new wind and up to 700 megawatts of solar energy to Colorado — increasing the renewable generation we already provide by a third. In addition, our plan would retire two more coal-fired power units in Pueblo.
Because we are aggressively focused on increasing renewables and decreasing emissions for all of Colorado, other communities are working with us to achieve their carbon-reduction goals. We recently started a new community partnership program and are collaboratively working with cities across Colorado, such as Denver, Lakewood, Lone Tree and Breckenridge. These communities recognize that partnering with Xcel Energy, nationally recognized for 12 years as the No. 1 provider of wind energy, is the best way to achieve sustainability.
We continue to believe that having Boulder join us in this broader plan will move the state forward faster than if the city becomes an island and concentrates only within its borders.
This November, Boulder residents will decide whether to continue funding the project to form a city utility, to extend executive sessions for City Council, and to require a vote at a general or special election before the city takes on debt to separate the existing system. Xcel Energy recognizes these are your decisions and we will not participate in or fund a political campaign for or against these measures. We sincerely hope that someday there will be an opportunity to continue forward on a shared path toward carbon reduction and renewable energy expansion.
Regardless of the election outcome, we are focusing on moving all of Colorado toward historic achievements for a safe, affordable and clean energy future.
David Eves is president, Xcel Energy – Colorado.
