Dive Summary:

• In an 8 to 1 vote Tuesday, the Boulder City Council authorized financial and legal steps Boulder needs to break ties with Xcel Energy by August.
• The city plans to use a municipal utility to supply cleaner electricity to the city’s 45,000 customers and achieve 50% wind power. (Xcel generates 14% wind power.)
• If Boulder wins, Xcel will lose 4% of its business in Colorado where no other cities are seeking utility municipalization.

From the article:

“Even as they pushed toward a split, Boulder city officials agreed this week to discuss alternatives with Xcel, including abandoning the idea of municipal ownership and forging a partnership in which the utility would deliver more renewable energy and meet other goals under a renewed franchise.” ...