Boulder files to avert Xcel obligation

BOULDER – Attorneys for the city of Boulder on Friday filed a petition with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission related to the possible creation of a local electric utility. The petition seeks to confirm that the city would have no “stranded-cost” obligations for portions of wholesale power it may continue to acquire from Xcel Energy Inc.

The city is planning to decide later this year whether to attempt to acquire the electrical system serving Boulder from Xcel and create its own municipal electric utility.

There is, however, a question about how much, if any, Boulder would have to pay Xcel Energy in…