On February 23, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved nearly 3,000 megawatts (MW) of new clean energy resources in a major step forward for renewable energy and storage in the state. The PUC approved 596 MW of wind, 1100 MW of solar, and 1300 MW of storage. (The approval also included 200 MW of gas). This decision represents the single largest procurement of battery storage in Colorado, and one of the largest procurements of clean energy in the state as well.
This proceeding aimed to approve new wind and solar resources before the federal tax credits expire. Sierra Club filed comments to support Xcel’s initial proposed portfolio of 4900 MW, 95 percent of which was clean energy and storage. When the PUC initially only approved less than 25 percent of that, Sierra Club pushed back, supporting Xcel’s request for reconsideration.
In their final decision, the PUC nearly tripled their initial approvals, and is currently evaluating whether to approve additional resources, including a 608 MW wind project and/or a 450 MW solar and storage project. We will continue to engage in this docket and push for clean energy on the accelerated timeline required to take advantage of the federal tax credits.
Sierra Club was represented in this case by Environmental Law Program Senior Attorney Matt Gerhart.