Colorado Residents and Policy makers:
When Tri-State became the energy provider for San Luis Valley Rural Electric Coop (REC) over a decade ago, part of the contractual agreement was to begin redundant transmission line development to improve energy security for the SLV. Tri-State was solo in this endeavor, initially exploring a 230 kV line. Xcel Energy/Public Service Company later realized that constructing centralized solar thermal generation complexes to export solar electricity out of the SLV was one way of meeting the new Colorado Renewable Energy Standard requirements.
To accommodate this goal, Xcel joined the transmission project in 2008, increasing the size to a double-circuit 230 kV line. Recently, PUC staff recommended yet another increase to a 345 kV double-circuit line. In capacity, this allows more than 1700 MW solar energy export, almost 10 times our 165 MW peak energy use during the summer irrigation season.
These present transmission line proposals will, in effect, obligate multiple industrial scale solar sites miles wide, and forever change the agro-pastoral landscape of the San Luis Valley. “Benefits” are suspect if compared to viable alternatives.
Changes in Energy Technology are occurring rapidly. Most energy experts now agree that there are superior choices over vast transmission projects and centralized generation. Phased in local, point-of-use renewable energy generation, is faster, more reliable, provides many more jobs and better environmental protection. Small scale solar projects near existing sub-stations in tandem with incentives and reliable rate structures for individual and business photovoltaic installations would stimulate SLV and State energy production, employment and conservation, while easily meeting local peak demands. The sun shines everywhere in Colorado!
Many collaborative working groups have diligently sorted fact from corporate marketing strategy, the emotional from the practical and the dreams from the realities. We now possess excellent information, crucial mapping and solid ideas to share that address the multitude of options that seriously consider protection of our lifestyle, landscape and natural resources, without compromising either our local or Colorado’s energy future or economy.
Trinchera Ranch and La Veta/Walsenburg citizens are not alone in responding to the Public Utility Commission and the Rural Utility Service formal public comment hearings. It’s critical we all participate and articulate concerns regarding the proposed transmission line increase and the possibility of industrial scale solar impacts. Many in the SLV have officially responded and continue to pay attention and take action.
If you would like more information, or would like to help, the Solar Working Group and SLV Renewable Communities Alliance posts salient articles regularly on www.slvjunction.com in the solar/transmission section of “Community”. You can join the SLV Renewable Communities Alliance information list serve by sending an email request to: ceal@theriver.com or access information on their blog at:http://slvrenewablecommunities.blogspot.com/. You can also access information on: www.slvec.org, www.slvwater.org. To stay informed about the SoCo transmission issues visit Trinchera Ranch Smart Valley Energy website at: http://smartvalleyenergy.com/.
Sincerely,
Claire Barker, Sally & Bob Keller & Christine Canaly
Solar Working Group
San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council
P.O. Box 223
Alamosa, CO. 81101
slvwater@fairpoint.net
(719) 589-1518
Ceal Smith, June Savage, Chuck Tidd & Dawn Anderson
SLV Renewable Communities Alliance
P.O. Box 447
Saguache, CO 81149
ceal@theriver.com
(719) 256-5780
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