Utilities’ Proposed Project
View an interactive map of the utilities' proposal
Xcel and Tri-State have proposed building two massive new transmission lines as part of their Southern Colorado Transmission Improvement Project. They say they need to build the massive lines to improve energy reliability in the San Luis Valley and to accommodate future energy development in the region.
But the facts show that their project is massively oversized for the actual need and that there are numerous other ways to achieve their goals that would have less impact on your utility bills and avoid carving a 150-foot-wide path through a pristine area of untouched wilderness.
One of the utilities’ two proposed lines makes sense. It would run in an existing transmission corridor from Pueblo to Walsenberg. While not inexpensive, this new $90 million power line and substation would maximize a corridor already home to transmission lines and support future wind energy development in the area.
The utilities’ second proposed line is a terrible mistake. It would send hundreds of 150-foot-tall, buzzing electrical towers marching across one of Colorado’s most iconic vistas. The line would impact hundreds of property owners and thousands of travelers who take in the majestic views daily and who regularly come back to the San Luis Valley and spend vital tourist dollars here.
The line will not even provide many benefits. The existing transmission system has more than enough capacity to accommodate all planned energy development in the San Luis Valley. Simply put, this second line is not needed for new energy development.
So what about energy reliability? Indeed, the line would improve energy reliability in the region. But, there are multiple other projects that would do the same or better at a fraction of the cost and with far less impact. We don’t need a new line, let alone one this massive, to make sure that the San Luis Valley has reliable energy.
Also estimated to cost $90 million, this second line will do little more than increase your monthly electric bill.