ALAMOSA COUNTY — On Wednesday, the Alamosa County Commissioners approved Xcel Energy's application to move forward on its Alamosa-to-Antonito transmission line that will replace the existing line. Xcel had asked for and was granted permission under Colorado state law referred to as a 1041 application.
1041 regulations are delegated powers from the State of Colorado to local jurisdictions to regulate matters of statewide concern, including the development of transportation and utility infrastructure. 1041 regulations can also be used to protect specific geographic areas with historical, cultural, or natural resources of statewide importance.
The commissioners also rejected a proposal from Korsail Energy to build a 135-megawatt (MW) solar energy facility known as the Cornfield on 730 acres in Alamosa County.
That project would have connected the project to the grid at the Alamosa Terminal, Blanca Peak 115kV line on the north side of the project. According to Korsail, the project would have created 300 jobs during construction.
Commissioner Lori Laske told the Valley Courier the commissioners are supportive of solar and have a long tradition of supporting solar energy. Laske encouraged Korsail to continue with the project, just in a different location.
"Building it over Rock Creek drainage on 786 acres between two state wildlife areas is not the ideal location,” Laske said. “This is a big project. There are better-suited areas in Alamosa County.
“This particular plot would be more profitable for Cornflower but could negatively impact our natural resources. Historically we've been supportive of solar and renewable projects, and we want to continue that in the future."
Commissioner Vern Heersink said that the county is in favor of solar but, "It's just that the location of this one is less than ideal."
Laske and Heersink voted to deny Korsail the approval with Commissioner Arlan VanRy dissenting.
The Korsail project was proposed to be built on private land about 2.5 miles west of the City of Alamosa with a lifespan of 50 years. "The land will be reclaimed and restored to historical uses," according to the company.
The Valley Courier has reached out to Korsail seeking comment regarding any plans it may have in Alamosa County or elsewhere in the Valley and is awaiting a reply.
In other Valley solar permitting news, on July 2, the Saguache County Board of County Commissioners voted to impose a moratorium on all solar 1041 applications while the county develops rules on the issue.
The Xcel application that was approved will replace the existing 69-kV transmission line from Alamosa to the Conejos County line. Conejos County will consider a 1041 application from Xcel sometime next year according to company representatives.
The new line will replace the current wood transmission poles with new metal poles. The existing line was built in the 1950s and has outlived its lifespan.
