Xcel Energy’s Mountain Energy Project goes before the state Public Utilities Commission today.
This is the final round of public comment on that $155 million plan. State commissioners want to hear the pros and cons for more than 33,000 affected customers in Summit County, Grand County and the Leadville area.
Xcel promises more reliavble natural gas without a new and dispritve gas pipline, while preparing us for greener energy in the future. A coalition of mountain towns, including most towns in Summit, fought for geothermal energy exploration and cost-share guarantees. Groups like The Sierra Club fought for environmental stewardship.
But some Summit locals are still leery about this plan. One Silverthorne resident, in a letter to town council, calls it an “energy reliability suicide pact” and fears another year of consistent, extended blackouts.
You can tune into the PUC hearing and make comments at 11 a.m. (register) and 6 p.m. (register) today, Aug. 4.