Oct. 31--ALAMOSA -- A consultant for the 172,000-acre ranch that sits in the proposed path for a power line into the San Luis Valley has called for alternatives he argues could save money and spare the terrain surrounding La Veta Pass.

James Dauphinais' alternative proposals were filed Wednesday with the state Public Utilities Commission, which is reviewing whether there is a need for the line that would run from Pueblo to Walsenburg and onto the valley.

The PUC's review, which has no role in selecting the route, is occurring alongside a federal environmental review by the Rural Utilities Service that will finalize a route.

Xcel Energy and the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association proposed the line as a way to increase the reliability of the existing power grid in the valley, which is currently supplied by three lines coming over Poncha Pass. The line would also allow for the export of up to 1,000 megawatts of solar generated power, the companies have said.

A megawatt of solar power is enough to power between 200 and 350 homes, depending on the type of solar technology used.

Dauphinais' testimony argues that the two companies have not shown a need for the new line.

He argues that the companies' fears of voltage collapse on existing lines could be resolved without another line if 150 megawatts of power generation were built.

The point notes that the generation could be thermal solar generation with storage capacity, a type of energy production Xcel is currently considering.

A second option could send a 230-kilovolt line from the San Luis Valley north for what Dauphinais claims would cost $40 million to $50 million less than the $90 million line currently under consideration.

That project could export between 475 MW and 575 MW.

The testimony also argues the valley could accommodate another 175 MW of generation through the construction of a transformer and the use of a remedial action scheme.

Cody Wertz, a spokesman for the ranch, said some of the information from this testimony, including the alternate route north out of the valley, could also be useful in the federal environmental review.

In the meantime, the PUC will hold a public hearing in Walsenburg on Nov. 9 and Alamosa on Nov. 10. The commission will conduct full evidentiary hearings on Xcel and Tri-State's line Dec. 14 -18 and Dec. 21.

matth@chieftain.com

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