Next up: A brief update on Xcel negotiations. (Pointless) presentation here: www-static.bouldercolorado.gov/docs/Item_7A_X…
Seriously, it's just a list of meetings that have already been held and ones upcoming. (Monday, June 22 for Boulder businesses and Wednesday, June 24 for the general public, I think)
Carr talking about under grounding: Any settlement will "probably" include asking Xcel to "catch up" on under grounding of power lines (worth roughly $10M) that it hasn't been doing while Boulder is not under a franchise agreement.
Critics have said this is unlikely; we're not paying them franchise fees, so why would we expect that they owe us this work?
Carr going over some other "key elements" of any potential settlement, including a five-year opt-out. Franchise agreements are for 20 years, and the state requires options to terminate at 10 and 15 years.
Also, it's imperative that the city can pick up where it left off on any work done on municipalization IF it decided to opt out; Xcel and Boulder will need to agree on that, Carr says.
Carr: "There is some confusion over the role" Weaver and Yates are playing in settlement talks. "It's incredibly helpful" to have them in the discussion; "it will save us time in the long run by steering us toward things they believe will be acceptable" by council.
This is a staff project, Carr says, they are consulting.
That is likely bc community members have been concerned about the role they are playing. It is unusual. Council and staff have argued that it's OK bc they represent opposing views.
Swetlik q: Would opt out be every 5 years? We couldn't have a ballot initiative any given year that forces us to end it?
Carr: It's a contract, so no.
"It was a heavy lift to get the five years."
Carr: It's a contract, so no.
"It was a heavy lift to get the five years."
Wallach asked: What if community choice passes in Colorado? (That state legislation would give cities more options as to where they get their electricity)
Yes, it's been discussed, Carr says. He leaves it at that.
Yes, it's been discussed, Carr says. He leaves it at that.
Not sure how helpful this is; not really any new info except that it was difficult to get Xcel to agree to 5-yr opt-outs.
But there you go, #Boulder, your muni update.
But there you go, #Boulder, your muni update.
@threadreaderapp please unroll. Thank you!
