Elbert County nixes permits, short-circuiting part of Xcel Energy’s $1.7B transmission project

Elbert County nixes permits, short-circuiting part of Xcel Energy’s $1.7B transmission project

Elbert County has denied the permits that Xcel Energy needs to build a portion of a $1.7 billion transmission project aimed at boosting the electric grid’s capacity. The utility could now turn to the courts or state regulators to advance its Colorado Power Pathway. The Elbert County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to reject Xcel’s request, saying the application was incomplete and didn’t meet the county’s regulations. The commissioners w…