Siting and Planning Studies

Prior to holding scoping meetings and initiating the NEPA process, the RUS requires that the Project proponent prepare and submit an Alternative Evaluation (AE) and Macro Corridor Study (MCS) to the RUS. Upon acceptance of these documents by the RUS, scoping meetings can be scheduled.

The purpose of an AE and MCS is to evaluate system level (point A to point B) alternatives that best meet the purpose and need for a project, as well as identify preliminary corridor alternatives.

The AE evaluates the system alternatives that best meet the purpose and need of the project, which is to support renewable energy development and increase electric power reliability. A number of alternatives were studied, including "no action", additional generation capacity and demand side management alternatives.

The MCS is used to identify preliminary corridors that are chosen based on an evaluation of opportunities and constraints gathered from existing land use and environmental data. Preliminary corridors are typically made up of segments that are a minimum of one-mile wide and allow for flexibility in future identification of a preferred and alternative route(s), while minimizing impacts to resources.

In addition to describing the purpose and need for the project, an AE/MCS document describes the corridor identification process in more detail, including a description of identified opportunity and constraints for a project area.

San Luis Valley to Calumet and Calumet to Walsenburg Segments

Alternative Evaluation and Macro Corridor Study (June 2008)
Siting Progress (January 2009)

Calumet to Comanche Segment

Macro Corridor Study (May 2009)

San Luis Valley - Calumet - Comanche Transmission Project

Alternative Evaluation (June 2009)

In the News

Support for San Luis Valley line isn't powering down
Denver Post
November 2, 2011

Xcel is out, but transmission line is not
Valley Courier
November 2, 2011

Xcel likely to drop SLV solar, transmission line proposal
Pueblo Chieftain
November 1, 2011

San Luis Valley Power
Pueblo Chieftain
September 14, 2011

Colorado PUC reaffirms approval of San Luis Valley power line sought by Xcel, Tri-State
Denver Business Journal
September 2, 2011

Utilities address transmission line issues
Valley Courier
April 21, 2011

Critic of Xcel plan to run line across his Colorado ranch also an investor
Denver Post
March 4, 2011

Good Decision
Pueblo Chieftain
February 16, 2011

San Luis Valley power line clears hurdle
Pueblo Chieftain
February 12, 2011