Boulder residents protest an Xcel Energy coal plant in July, 2011. (Photo by Zane Selvans via Creative Commons)

Could Minneapolis be the next Boulder?

In November, voters in Boulder, Colo., authorized the city to form a municipal electric utility if Xcel Energy doesn’t meet its clean energy demands.

Last week in Minneapolis, a citizens group went public with a call for residents and officials there to pursue an agenda that could lead down a similar path.

The Boulder referendum went to the ballot after the city balked at renewing a 20-year contract with Xcel to provide electricity in the city.

The contracts, known as franchise agreements, authorize utilities to use public right-of-ways in exchange for sharing a small percentage of revenue with the city. They’re typically renewed with little fanfare, but a few cities such as Boulder have recently used the negotiations to try to advance clean energy.

Minneapolis Energy Options wants to add its city to the list.
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