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First, an update on the Local Power initiative, which must be a rebranding of the muni.
Here's the staff presentation on that: www-static.bouldercolorado.gov/docs/5A_Local_…
Steve Catanach, Director of Climate Initiatives: Muni is mostly related to cleaning up our grid and getting away from fossil fuels. But it can also allow us to do some more innovative things than are currently allowed under Xcel.
City's climate change targets and progress:
80% emissions reduction by 2050 (we're at 16% now)
80% emissions reduction in city gov't by 2050 (at 31% now)
100% renewable electricity by 2030 (28% today)
100MW of local renewable generation by 2030 (at 53MW today)
80% emissions reduction by 2050 (we're at 16% now)
80% emissions reduction in city gov't by 2050 (at 31% now)
100% renewable electricity by 2030 (28% today)
100MW of local renewable generation by 2030 (at 53MW today)
Catanach "heard" that Boulder has the highest per capita local renewable generation in the state. Seems probable.
2020 go/no-go vote "is still the target," Catanach said, but there are "obstacles" to reaching that goal.
"We understand it's going to be a really large number we're going to present to" residents when we lay out costs, but our commitment is to have lower rates than Xcel.
RE: The city's filings with state regulators. All those actions can happen "in parallel" with acquisition of Xcel's assets, Catanach says. Acquisition will happen through negotiation (not as likely) or condemnation (almost certainly).
According to a timeline in this presentation, the city intends to file for condemnation in June/July "if negotiations fail or are futile."
Catanach says "the end of the month" meaning June. "We anticipate that (court) case will take a year to 18 months."
Engineers from city, Xcel "are working together very, very well."
No word on how the lawyers are working together.
No word on how the lawyers are working together.
Catanach: Local utility would be able to serve the community at about 90% renewable energy on Day 1.
Q from Morzel: How will enclaves be treated as they annex into the city?
Catanach: There are typically annexation agreements for municipal utilities. Typically, city compensates utility provider for losing those customers. It would be negotiated with Xcel.
Catanach: There are typically annexation agreements for municipal utilities. Typically, city compensates utility provider for losing those customers. It would be negotiated with Xcel.
Now onto the charter cleanup related to the muni.
When city passed charter language creating a muni, "we thought, at the time, we'd be going directly to condemnation. We've had a slight detour through the PUC for the past 5 years."
This is in regards to Xcel's 2014 suit. To avoid going to court, the settlement dictates that Boulder will repeal that part of the charter that creates a municipal utility, and Xcel will not use the lack of such an entity in condemnation proceedings.
Carr, regarding the settlement: "I'm not thrilled, but I'm also not very upset."
Three ppl signed up for the public hearing. Guess who two of them are?
Karey Christ-Janer, who lives in Berthoud but has a rental unit in Boulder, is a utility reform advocate. "Concern at the time (muni was created) was that things change, and things have changed." They've changed the most this legislative session.
"You could actually be holding the state back" with local power, Christ-Janer says. State is looking at process to help cities go renewable much quicker than by creating their own utilities.
Patrick Murphy is up again. He spoke during open comment.
"This has been a long series of bad decisions, the inability to do math and representations of a Pollyanna world not based in reality."
"This has been a long series of bad decisions, the inability to do math and representations of a Pollyanna world not based in reality."
The settlement with Xcel "is an agreement that we got it wrong." We're going to continue to get it wrong, "bc leadership isn't doing critical review."
Then compares the muni to dog crap.
Leslie Glustrom starts with some cross-talk criticizing Murphy.
"We cannot believe that (Xcel) will conduct themselves in good faith. Even when they sign an agreement, it doesn't mean we have an agreement."
"We cannot believe that (Xcel) will conduct themselves in good faith. Even when they sign an agreement, it doesn't mean we have an agreement."
Has seen Xcel do things "that leave me speechless."
The "biggest one" is Xcel's withdrawing from an agreement over property interests with Boulder. "It's really, really gobsmacking what they have done."
Weaver: We started this with goals of decarbonization, democratization and... crap, I already forgot the third one.
But basically saying Boulder has done its homework on costs.
But basically saying Boulder has done its homework on costs.
Weaver: This is what the community has directed us to do. The lengthy time, the process with the PUC... this is what it looks like when a city does something that hasn't been done in at least 60 years.
Third D was Decentralization. Thx to @markgelband for letting me know.
"Where we have come to has had value here. I also think it's why we've been fought so hard by Xcel," Weaver says.
Says San Fran is considering it's own muni with PG&E, which started a wildfire that burned down a town.
Says San Fran is considering it's own muni with PG&E, which started a wildfire that burned down a town.
Mayor Jones: "Xcel is making sure this takes a long time. Let's be clear, that's why it's taking a long time."
Council unanimously votes to repeal the muni charter language.
That's all for this one. @threadreaderapp, please unroll. Thx!
