Xcel Energy Inc. has proposed buying 200 megawatts of wind generation from NextEra Energy Resources LLC that it originally offered to Boulder, Colo. as part of franchise negotiations with the city.
Boulder now plans to ask voters whether they want to start a municipal utility instead of renewing a franchise agreement with Xcel.
If Xcel's wind proposal is approved by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, the power would be produced from turbines that would be built in Lincoln County near Limon next year.
Xcel already is ahead of schedule to meet a state mandate to get 30 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020, but executives said Thursday that the company wants to take advantage of historically low wind prices and production tax credits.