Xcel’s sprawling new Mountain Energy Project is rethinking how natural gas and other power is pumped into the High Country.
The plan is complex and expensive. When unveiled earlier this year, Xcel estimated it will cost $155 million. It promises more reliable power for a growing region without a disruptive new pipeline – an option mountain towns have opposed for years.
“The main idea of a non-pipeline alternative portfolio is straightforward – instead of expanding and upgrading traditional natural gas pipeline systems, we will invest in alternative projects to avoid or defer investment in natural gas infrastructure, while fulfilling our obligation to serve new and existing customers as communities grow,” Robert Kenney, president of Xcel Energy Colorado, said when the project was announced.
Now the town of Breckenridge is taking a deep dive into the project. And officials want other towns to split the bill.
Breck is pitching a “coalition to intervene” as the mountain energy project goes through its state-mandated review with the Public Utilities Commission, PUC.
This local coalition would hire experts to review the project, like its lofty goals of more reliable energy with less impact on the environment.
The town estimates the local coalition will cost up to $200,000. At today’s meeting, town council reviews an agreement to split the bill with Summit County and every local town, including Blue River and the newly formed town of Keystone.
“All of the Summit County communities … recognize that this proceeding before the PUC is a unique opportunity to engage with Xcel on critical infrastructure and energy issues, including the development of additional infrastructure to support the provision of gas and electric service to the greater Summit County community as well as the implementation of a number of community-wide goals related to the sustainability and efficiency of gas and electric energy service provided by Xcel,” a town memo reads.
Next, Breck will pitch its coalition to the county and neighboring towns. If everyone signs off on it, Breck would pay $60,000 of the coalition cost.