Alamosa County Commissioners approved Xcel Energy’s application to begin construction on its Alamosa-to-Antonito transmission line replacement project, and denied a similar application from Korsail Energy to build a major solar renewable energy project that would have tied into the Xcel’s power system.
The two projects went through 1041 permit application public hearings on Wednesday, with the three county commissioners in unanimous agreement on Xcel’s transmission line replacement project. However, they were split 2-1 on the Korsail Energy solar development project. Commissioner Arlan Van Ry voted against denying the Korsail project, with Commissioners Vern Heersink and Lori Laske moving to deny the required 1041 permit for the project due to concerns from Colorado Parks & Wildlife and U.S. Fish & Wildlife.
“Historically we’ve been supportive of solar and renewable projects and we want to continue that in the future,” said Commissioner Heersink. “It’s just that the location of this one seems less than ideal.”
Solar energy development
The Korsail Energy solar development proposal had two willing private landowners, but it ran into a buzzsaw of opposition from state and federal wildlife officials concerned with the potential damage to wildlife and the Valley’s migratory birds.
Korsail tried to place its “Cornflower Solar” project on 780 acres about 2 miles west of the Alamosa city limits and within the migratory range of the Monte Vista Wildlife Refuge and Rock Creek and the Playa Blanca State Wildlife Area. The selected location doomed the project in the eyes of the county commissioners.
Had it been approved, Korsail said the renewable solar project would have tied into Xcel’s energy system in the San Luis Valley to power 15,000 homes and deliver tax revenue close to $400,000 a year to Alamosa County.
Those economic and renewable energy numbers weren’t enough to overcome the concerns with wildlife habitats and migratory bird patterns in the area.
Xcel’s transmission line project
With a 1041 permit now in hand, Xcel said it plans to begin construction on the Alamosa portion of the transmission line replacement project as early as this fall. The project is unique in that Xcel will keep in service the existing 69-kilovolt transmission line from Alamosa to Antonito while it builds its new transmission line for the two counties. Xcel is working with private landowners along the Alamosa County route to secure land easements.
Xcel has to go through a similar 1041 permitting application with Conejos County but said that won’t happen until 2025, once Conejos County finishes its own work on 1041 permit application requirements.
The Alamosa-to-Antonito transmission line is a pure replacement project at the same 69-kV. Xcel said the existing transmission line, built in 1950s, has outlived its lifespan and a new transmission line is needed to “ensure continued delivery of safe, reliable and economical electric service to Alamosa County and surrounding communities.”
Xcel said it delivers electricity to 6,313 residents and 1,444 businesses in Alamosa County.