The Colorado Public Utilities Commission has granted approval for Black Hills/Colorado Electric Utility Co. LP to build and own the 60-MW Peak View Wind project.
The Black Hills (NYSE:BKH) affiliate is looking to buy the project from an Invenergy affiliate.
The PUC, which is part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), said in an Oct. 21 news release that it unanimously approved a settlement between the company and a number of parties – including labor, environmental and consumer advocate groups.
The Peak View Wind project is expected to include 34 turbines on about 31,000 acres in Huerfano and Las Animas counties. The proposed project launch is Jan. 1, 2016, and the in-service date is scheduled for Nov. 15, 2016, to meet requirements for the federal Production Tax Credit and the Colorado Enterprise Zone Investment Tax Credit.
In April, the PUC had rejected the Black Hills proposal to buy more renewable energy, including the wind project. The PUC ruled that the proposed options were not cost-effective and would be an additional burden to taxpayers. The PUC said that Black Hills could solicit new bids.
In June, the company filed a revised wind project application addressing the PUC concerns, which led to the proposed settlement, which had already been reported by GenerationHub.
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