By: Dan Mikadan Mika | Greeley Tribune

Published: 9/21/2020

WINDSOR — The Windsor City Council will review a report suggesting it could save millions over the next two decades if it were to buy out the control and operation of its streetlights from two local power providers.

In a report due for discussion Monday night, California-based consulting firm Tanko Lighting suggests the city could cut its annual costs by more than 50 percent per year if it bought out the operation of its street lights from Xcel Energy Inc. (NYSE:XEL) and Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association and switched the lamps to more energy-efficient LED lights.

The consulting firm estimates municipalization of the PVREA-owned street lamps would cost about $397,652 upfront, but provide $558,924 in savings over 20 years, while buying out Xcel would cost just under $1.2 million up front and save the city $3.77 million over the same two-decade period.

However, the report suggests Xcel could require Windsor to replace all of the city’s lights 520,000 lights mounted to its power lines with standalone poles, which could add $520,000 to the city’s buyout total.

The town would cut its bill for the PVREA and Xcel-owned lamps by 53% and 79%, respectively, the report estimates.

It’s unclear if Xcel would take a similar approach to the longtime battle it had with the city of Boulder when the latter was trying to form a municipal utility.

The two sides agreed to a tentative settlement in July where in Xcel would increase its mix of renewable power to the city in line with Boulder’s goal of being completely green powered by 2030. That deal now awaits the approval of voters in the November elections.

Neither Xcel nor PVREA responded to a request for comment Monday.

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