ALAMOSA — Xcel Energy and the City of Alamosa are developing a work plan to boost economic development, clean energy, technology and energy efficiency in the city.

Xcel chose Alamosa as a pilot city for the energy future collaboration partnership. Xcel Area Manager Ashley Valdez recently updated the Alamosa city council on the progress of the work plan. She reminded the council that Xcel and Alamosa entered a memorandum of understanding last April to embark on the Colorado Energy Future Collaboration program. She has been working with city staff to develop a work plan, and they have a framework for that plan, she said.

She added she would be coming back to provide regular updates to the city “as we flesh out the details of the plan.”

She said Xcel also wants the city to be informed and involved in regulatory rules that might affect the city. “Because this is a partnership we would like your personnel to come alongside … Alamosa can provide more information for how our regulatory processes affect things you want to do in the City of Alamosa.”

Xcel wants to work with the city on city projects such as the downtown master plan as well, Valdez said.

She outlined several short- and long-term goals included in the 2018-2019 work plan. Short-term goals include: knowledge sharing; economic development (for example, site certification process Xcel offers at no charge to review different possible development sites and how they are set up for gas, power, capacity); assist the city with energy efficiency, reducing consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, for example, not only in city buildings but throughout the community as well; and painting switch cabinets as part of a pilot art program, as switch cabinets are changed over from live front switch cabinets.

Long-term goals for 2019 and beyond include: coordination on projects such as the underground fund, downtown revitalization and Renewable Connect; and identification of Smart Technology pilot projects such as electric vehicle charging stations in cooperation with REC and other partners.

Valdez said Xcel’s overarching goal, not just for Colorado but the entire eight-state region, is to be carbon free by 2050.

“We love the idea of Alamosa being part of that in our future, helping reach that goal,” she said.

Councilman David Broyles thanked Valdez for Xcel’s cooperation and said these are ambitious goals for the future.

Mayor Pro Tem Liz Hensley said, “It’s been awesome to have you as a partner.” She said it is an honor to be chosen as a pilot city.