Colorado PUC approves Xcel Energy wind project development

A settlement approved on Friday by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will permit Xcel Energy to develop, own and operate the Rush Creek Wind Project on Colorado’s eastern plains.

The PUC voted to approve the widely supported agreement without modification, finding that the project satisfied the reasonable cost standard, which permits up to 25 percent ownership by utilities of new renewable energy resources acquired after March 27, 2007.

The project will encompass a 600-megawatt wind facility with two generations sites, a 90-mile high-voltage transmission line, and 300 turbines spanning 116,000 acres in Elbert, Lincoln, Kit Carson, and Cheyenne Counties.

“I’m very pleased that almost 20 parties could join together and support a comprehensive settlement that significantly increases renewable energy in the state, will be a driver of economic development in rural Colorado, and helps sustain the renewable energy supply chain that has matured in Colorado,” Colorado PUC Chairman Joshua Epel said. “I am especially pleased that a high-voltage transmission line that provides access to energy resource zones is part of the settlement.”

The settlement was signed by the Office of Consumer Counsel, the Colorado Energy Office, environmental organizations, cooperative electric associations, municipalities, large energy consumers, trade and union groups, and independent power producers.