In 2011, citizens of Boulder, CO, opted to oust their monopoly, corporate electric utility for a locally owned, cleaner, more affordable model despite being outspent 10-to-1. They’ve since shown that a locally owned utility could deliver 54% renewable energy, lower greenhouse gas emissions by half, and all at a cost as good or better than the incumbent utility.
But Xcel Energy is doubling down after their 2011 loss, preparing to spend well more than $1 million (what they spent in 2011) to protect their profits (and their outmoded business model). They’ve sponsored a new ballot initiative that would spike Boulder’s wheel and make running a municipal utility nearly impossible. It’s a textbook example of a corporation looking to buy the election result they want, and all that’s standing in their way is a committed group of local citizens.
But the citizens aren’t giving up without a fight. This video – headlining their crowdfunding campaign – shows what’s at stake, and how you can be part of a solution to deliver real. local. power. in Boulder, and across the country. Boulder might be the first to fight to be energy deciders for a cleaner energy future, but it’s not fighting alone. Already their campaign has raised 3 times it’s goal of $40,000, and with a little more help (from you), they can put up a terrific people powered campaign to stop one utility’s dirty money, and put a shot across the bow on local climate action.
