Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Moves Forward with Investigatory Proceeding on San Luis Valley Transmission Options


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DENVER – The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has decided to move forward with an investigatory proceeding to examine alternative options for expanding transmission capacity within the San Luis Valley. The new proceeding comes in the wake of Proceeding No.,  21A-0096E in which the Commission granted Public Service Company of Colorado (Public Service) a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for Colorado’s Power Pathway 345 kilovolt (kV) Transmission Project.

What You Need to Know:  On Nov. 16, 2022, the Commission opened the new proceeding to solicit comments from interested stakeholders on options to improve service reliability in San Luis Valley and potentially to export generation to other areas of the state.

  • The San Luis Valley in Southern Colorado lies between Sangre de Cristo and San Juan Mountain ranges. It contains six counties and hosts the headwaters of the Rio Grande River.
  • It’s slightly larger than the size of Connecticut at 8,000 square miles.
  • The San Luis Valley has been a difficult area to build electric transmission infrastructure in the past.
  • In addition to the Commission, the San Luis Valley Subcommittee of the Colorado Coordinated Planning Group has initiated its own evaluation of options to improve the reliability and increase the capacity of transmission serving the area.
  • The San Luis Valley hosts some of the best solar resources in the state, the Commission is reviewing plans with an eye toward potential solar generating resources in the area.
  • Public input is sought with a requirement to file a notice to participate in the proceeding no later than Dec. 30, 2022.
  • Participants are requested to file comments no later than Feb. 3, 2022.

In addition, members of the public can submit written comments through the Commission’s E-Filing System at https://www.dora.state.co.us/pls/efi/EFI.homepage, by emailing dora_puc_website@state.co.us, or by mailing comments to Colorado Public Utilities Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 250, Denver, CO 80202.

Members of the public can also call 303.869.3490 to leave oral comments (English and Spanish options). The PUC strives to accommodate all members of the public at its hearings and meetings by providing services for foreign language users and persons with disabilities upon receipt of a reasonable accommodation request. Requests for such accommodations should be made at least one week prior to the event by completing the Language Access Form. Requests can also be made directly by contacting Holly Bise at 303.894.2024 or by emailing holly.bise@state.co.us.