Residents of Boulder, Colorado, are deciding whether to dump the corporation currently providing the city’s electricity in favor of establishing a municipal utility that would be more environmental friendly and locally accountable.

 

The city’s citizens will vote today on two ballot measures that will decide if it wants to cut ties with Xcel, a Minnesota-based company that supplies electricity across eight states, including most of Colorado, which accounts for 42% of Xcel’s profits. The pro-Xcel campaign has outspent the supporters of municipalization by a ratio of ten to one.

 

Opponents of the idea argue that the change will prove costly for local residents, and that going “green” can be done by working with the existing provider.

 

Supporters say Xcel is terrified of the vote, claiming the loss of Boulder as a customer would mean a reduction of $100 million in annual revenue. Also, the switch could embolden other communities to drop the company and further weaken its bottom-line.

 

There are currently more than 250 publically-owned electric and gas utilities in the United States.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Boulder Seeks Divorce from Xcel (by Phil Carson, Intelligent Utility)

In Colorado, a Power Struggle With the Power Company (by Kirk Johnson, New York Times)

Storm Causes Some Boulder Residents to Rethink 2B and 2C (by Laura Snider, Boulder Daily Camera)