Boulder unveils utility transition plan

BOULDER – The city of Boulder released Thursday a plan that includes buying power from Xcel Energy Inc. (NYSE: XEL) during the period when the city transitions to creating its own electric utility.

The city hired PowerServices Inc., a consulting firm based in Raleigh, N.C., to prepare the report with city of Boulder staff members. The report outlines ways Boulder can provide a safe and reliable system, minimize customer impacts, manage costs and expand its renewable energy portfolio.

The plan envisions that Boulder would begin operating its own utility and billing customers during the third quarter of 2016. The city,…