Xcel Energy Offers Boulder More Renewable Energy

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - Xcel Energy says it could provide up to 90 percent of the city of Boulder's energy from renewable sources by 2020 if the city renews a franchise agreement with Xcel instead of forming a municipal utility.

The city's now-expired franchise agreement with Xcel is worth about $100 million a year.

The Daily Camera reports Xcel has proposed selling renewable energy credits from a wind farm to Boulder, with the city paying the difference between the cost of the wind energy and Xcel's savings from having the wind energy. The city also would pay other costs, including those for supplementing wind power when it's not available.

But Xcel says the city's costs initially would rise until the price of wind power falls.

City officials say they will review the proposal.

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