A Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) administrative law judge will take public comment July 23 on a proposal by Xcel Energy to construct a new high-voltage transmission line from Brush to a substation just north of Castle Pines.
The public comment hearing will be from 4-7 p.m. at the PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., in Parker.
Xcel is seeking a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) to build the Pawnee-to-Daniels Park transmission project, which would result in 115 miles of new 345-kilovolt (kv) transmission, completing the company’s 345-kv transmission backbone running along the Front Range from the Pawnee to Comanche generating stations.
Utilities are required by law to seek PUC authority to build and own certain major electricity infrastructure projects in Colorado. The PUC determines whether there is a need for the project, and whether the application is in the public interest. Siting of such projects – and other land-use decisions – are determined through local government permitting processes and are not part of this proceeding.
Along with authority to construct the project, the company is asking the PUC for specific findings that the expected noise and electro-magnetic field (EMF) levels associated with the project as designed would be reasonable.
Depending on the number of people who sign up to speak at the public hearing, each oral statement may be limited to a certain number of minutes. Those unable to attend the public hearing may submit written comments on the proposal. Comments should be sent to the PUC, 1560 Broadway, Suite 250, Denver, CO 80202, or electronically via the PUC website. Comments should be addressed to Docket No. 14A-0287E.