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Boulder residents to vote today on opposing ballot initiatives on creation of a municipal u... Page 1 of 2 <br /> Public Porn Roily <br /> I,ies1I9V.No ember S,2013 <br /> Boulder residents to vote today on opposing ballot initiatives on <br /> creation of a municipal utility <br /> Xcel Energy, the investor-owned utility that serves the city of Boulder, Colo., has contributed half a <br /> million dollars in the last two months to a group campaigning for Question 310, a Nov. 5 ballot <br /> initiative that would make it more difficult for the city to move forward with its plan to form a <br /> municipal electric utility. By today -- the day of the election-- Xcel is expected to have made another <br /> contribution of$195,000, bringing the total to $695,000, the local newspaper reported. Meanwhile, <br /> Boulder received a report from a consultant affirming that creation of a city-owned electric utility <br /> would be a viable way of meeting the community's energy goals. <br /> The Boulder Daily Camera reported in late September that the Xcel Energy had made a contribution <br /> of$300,000 to the group, called Voter Approval of Debt Limits. The private utility made another <br /> contribution of$200,000, the newspaper reported on Nov. 1, noting that Oct. 31 was the last day that <br /> groups had to file campaign finance contributions before the election. <br /> Boulder voters today will face two conflicting ballot initiatives. <br /> Ballot Question 2E was placed on the ballot by the Boulder City Council. It would amend the city <br /> charter to put a limit of$214 million on the amount of debt Boulder could issue to acquire Xcel's <br /> distribution system(and to pay any stranded costs demanded by Xcel). <br /> Ballot Question 310 was placed on the ballot as the result of a citizens'petition backed by Xcel <br /> Energy. It would require the city,before it could issue any debt to form a municipal utility, to receive <br /> approval from voters; and would stipulate that such an election could be held only in an odd- <br /> numbered year. <br /> The city said the following three outcomes are possible as a result of today's election: <br /> 1. One measure passes and the other one fails; <br /> 2. Both measures pass; or <br /> 3. Both measures fail. <br /> If the City Council-backed measure has the most votes, the petitioned initiative will not take effect, <br /> the city said. If the petitioned initiative has the most votes, both measures will be in effect, but where <br /> they conflict, the measure with the most votes will prevail. <br /> If both measures fail, the City Council would have authority to issue bonds to create a local electric <br /> utility, if certain conditions can be met. However, the City Council has said it"would seek to <br /> understand the intentions of voters and determine how to proceed at that time." <br /> In late July, the Boulder City Council voted to begin condemnation proceedings to acquire the local <br /> electricity distribution system from Xcel. In August, the council affirmed that decision, voting again <br /> to move forward with efforts to buy Xcel's poles, wires and other facilities. <br /> Boulder has been studying options for a more locally controlled, greener energy future for the last two <br /> 83 <br /> http://www.naylornetwork.com/app-ppd/articles/print-V2.asp?aid=240858 11/5/2013 <br />