Aug. 30--Public interest is catching up to a fast-moving plan to build a major electrical transmission line from Pueblo to the San Luis Valley.

The $180 million project would aid the development of solar energy plants in the valley.

The line would start at Xcel Energy's Comanche substation in Pueblo and run south to the Walsenburg area and then west over La Veta Pass to the San Luis Valley.

The line is a joint proposal of Xcel Energy and Tri-State Generation in response to state and federal mandates calling for the development of more renewable energy.

Another federal mandate seeks to fast-track the transmission lines needed to move renewable energy. Some of the nation's best wind and solar sites are remote areas. A decision on the San Luis Valley route could come by early next year.

Others say, not so fast.

At a recent series of public meetings along the proposed route, about 300 residents turned out with questions about the transmission line's impact on the region's mountain and prairie vistas.

Meanwhile, the owner of the massive Trinchera Ranch on the valley's eastern edge reiterated its demand for an Environmental Impact Statement study, a more thorough review than one now under way.

The proposed route calls for the line to cross a portion of the ranch's undisturbed land.

In Pueblo, interest goes beyond land disruptions. Pueblo leaders are watching closely, given the city's own bid for Xcel to partner on a major solar complex at vacant Pueblo Chemical Depot land.

A decision by Xcel is pending.

"There's enough solar to go around . . . so I don't think there's any competition," Pueblo County Public Works Director Greg Severance said of the Pueblo and San Luis Valley solar proposals.

At the same time, Pueblo sees the San Luis Valley project as a way to further showcase the depot site, where a transmission line already runs, Severance said.

The Pueblo site also offers more solar potential for Xcel's peak need periods, according to an Xcel report issued in February, he said.

"Pueblo is just in a very unique and lucky position" given its solar power capabilities, Severance said. "We're hoping that there's enough solar projects . . . and that everyone benefits," he said. ± SEE POWER, 4FPOWER / from page 1F ± Xcel and Tri-State executives hail the San Luis Valley project as a major step forward in the state's renewable energy development.

The project provides a way to move renewable energy to the Front Range electricity grid, they say. In turn, the San Luis Valley gains economic development and more reliable power, they added.