Xcel Energy’s $1.7 billion Colorado Power Pathway transmission project has run into a rough road in Elbert County where the county commissioners Wednesday voted to deny project permits to the state’s biggest electricity provider.
The 550-mile transmission project, designed to bring Eastern Plains wind and solar to the Denver metropolitan area, is set to run through the heart of Elbert County where it has encountered widespread opposition from ranchers and other landowners.
Xcel Energy needs rights of way through 48 properties in the county — which sits east of Interstate 25 between Denver and Colorado Springs — but only 25 landowners have agreed. Some have refused to let the utility on their land for surveys, and the utility has begun eminent domain proceedings on 13 properties.
“This line serves no purpose here in Elbert County, and, frankly, I don’t care about Denver,” Commissioner Byron McDaniel said. As for the property owners facing court action, he added, “I think they are being bullied, and I don’t like it.”
There had been calls from landowners and community groups for Xcel Energy to move the line from the center of the county to its less populated eastern edge, near Limon. Company officials said there were barriers to doing so.
“You are telling people it’s not going to change,” Commissioner Mike Buck said. “You went to community meetings and said it’s not going to change. … I had a phone call from an Xcel lobbyist and he said … it’s a done deal.”
The commission voted 3-0 to deny two permits the utility needs to start work in the county. The planning commission also voted 9-0 to deny the permits, saying the applications were incomplete.
“Colorado homes and businesses require more power, and the state’s current infrastructure is not sufficient to support long-term needs and growth,” Xcel Energy said in a statement. “Projects like the Colorado Pathway are vital to maintain the reliability Coloradans expect from their electrical system.”
“Not in the best interest of Elbert County”
The utility said the project is key to the company and the state meeting clean energy goals.
“We are pleased that the commissioners heard the public and we were pleased with the denial of the permit,” said Kerry Jiblits, a board member of the Elbert County Environmental Alliance, which opposed the route.
“They came to the right decision that this route is not in the best interest of Elbert County,” she said.
The county commissioners chided the company for starting condemnation proceedings on private property even before they had the permits in hand.
“It certainly feels like the cart was put before the horse … to start condemnation even before coming before this board,” Commissioner Dallas Schoeder said. “It’s wrong and puts the landowner at a disadvantage.”
Jennifer Chester, Xcel Energy’s manager for siting and land rights, said “it takes years to develop a transmission line and requires multiple permits.”
Due to that complexity and the timelines and cost caps set by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, multiple actions had to be taken at the same time. “We can’t do a linear sequence of permits, then acquisition,” Chester said.
One of the big issues was whether there was adequate fire safety and prevention built into the plan as the county is served by only three volunteer fire departments. Chester said the company is continuing to work with the departments on communications and training.
Elbert County will receive an impact fee from Xcel Energy equal to 2% of the total project costs, about $2.5 million, to offset fiscal and infrastructure costs the county may incur.
If the county decided it is a priority, part of the money, Chester said, could be used to improve firefighting resources.
Xcel Energy evaluated 500 miles of routes in the county, Chester said, before adopting one that was 70% co-located with roads, existing transmission lines and a pipeline right of way.
As for the company seeking court-ordered eminent domain, Chester said, “the information needs to be presented to a neutral party. … We are just at an impasse. That is the best step for everyone.”
Power Pathway is being built in five segments in a large loop from Longmont, across the Eastern Plains to Pueblo and then up to Denver.
Segments 2 and 3 are completed and Segments 1 and 4 are under construction and expected to be completed next year. The sticking point has become Segment 5, particularly the 48 miles running through Elbert County.
On Tuesday evening, the commissioners heard from the public and not one of the more than 30 county residents who spoke supported the current path for the transmission line.
“Xcel has no regard for Elbert County or its citizens,” Beverly Durant told the commission. “They haven’t submitted a complete application and they don’t care. … This does not benefit Elbert County at all. It takes away our property rights.”
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