All eyes on 2030: Utilities set sights on renewable energy

The next nine years will prove how committed local electricity utilities are to the cause of developing new renewable energy sources. It’s put-up-or-shut-up time.

Many of the Boulder Valley and Northern Colorado electricity providers and local governments have circled 2030 as the year when they’ll deliver on promises to transition completely or mostly away from carbon-based sources of power.

Cities such as Boulder and Longmont have passed resolutions to provide 100% renewable energy to residents by 2030, while utilities such as Xcel Energy Inc. (NYSE: XEL) and Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association Inc. have…