GOV. RITTER PRAISES XCEL DECISION TO MAKE BOULDER NATION'S 1st SMART GRID CITY

Gov. Bill Ritter today applauded Xcel Energy's decision to make Boulder the nation's first Smart Grid City, praisingColorado's largest energy utility for once again demonstrating its commitment to Colorado's New Energy Economy.

 

"We know energy conservation and energy efficiency must be key components of our energy future," Gov. Ritter said. "We also know the least expensive energy is energy that's never used – the 'nega-watt.' New smart-grid technology will allow us to better manage, reduce, monitor and understand our energy use. It also will integrate, for the first time, solar rooftops as a recognized part of our energy infrastructure. 

 

"For electricity consumers in Boulder who choose to participate, this will help them understand how much energy they are using at any one time, and what it's costing them. And that will help them save energy and save money. With operational cost savings and reliability as top priorities, this is the model for how cities and towns will be connected to the grid in the future.  

 

"Future generations will produce and consume energy in profoundly different ways than we do today. With Boulderas America's first Smart Grid City, Xcel Energy is showcasing precisely why Colorado is fast becoming an international leader in the New Energy Economy, in modern energy – and now in smart energy."

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