A Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity

The Colorado Public Utilities Law (Colorado Revised Statutes § 40-1-101, et seq.) and the rules of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) (4 Code of Colorado Regulations 723-3) require that an electric utility seeking to construct and operate an electric transmission line must first obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Need (CPCN) for the transmission line unless the CPUC determines that construction of the line is in the ordinary course of business in which case, a CPCN is not needed for the transmission line project.

In the case of a proposed electric transmission line, a CPCN application must include the following information:

A statement of facts showing how the proposed transmission line is required for the public convenience and necessity
A description of the proposed transmission line
The estimated cost of the proposed transmission line
The anticipated construction time frame and in-service date for the transmission line
Maps showing the general area of the line, population centers, major highways, and county and state boundaries
Electrical diagrams of the proposed transmission line
Information on alternatives studied and the criteria used to rank such alternatives
A report on prudent avoidance measures relating to exposure to magnetic fields associated with the proposed transmission line
Information concerning projected audible noise levels associated with the transmission line and cost-effective mitigation measures

This information is considered by the CPUC when determining the need for the proposed transmission line. It is important to note that the CPCN process does not decide the final location of the transmission line. The final location and alignment of the transmission line is determined through a separate and extensive federal, state, and local government siting and permitting process.

San Luis Valley - Calumet - Comanche Transmission Project CPCN Status

The CPUC has determined that PSCo and Tri-State require a CPCN for the proposed San Luis Valley - Calumet - Comanche Transmission Project.
On May 14, 2009, Tri-State and PSCo submitted to the CPUC applications for their respective participation in the proposed project.

View testimonies and exhibits

Public input hearings were conducted by the CPUC on Nov. 9 and 10, 2009. Download transcripts from the hearings: Walsenburg, Alamosa
The CPUC concluded evidentiary hearings on February 11, 2010. Concluding Statements of Position and Replies can be viewed on the CPUC website.
The CPUC has reopened the evidentiary record and plans two days of hearings to be held on July 26 and 30, 2010
The CPUC's initial CPCN decision is expected to follow the two days of hearings in August 2010.

A Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity

San Luis Valley - Calumet - Comanche Transmission Project CPCN Status

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