August 27, 2026 City of Boulder City Council Study Session

The City of Boulder City Council held a study session on August 27, 2026, focusing primarily on the city's energy partnership with Excel Energy and wildfire resilience initiatives. Excel Energy provided a detailed update on their wildfire mitigation plans, including infrastructure upgrades such as undergrounding power lines to enhance reliability and reduce wildfire risk, with a $70 million investment targeting critical infrastructure like the wastewater treatment facility. They also discussed ongoing and future projects, including a major transmission line rebuild and efforts to increase electric capacity by 120 megawatts to support electrification goals. Excel addressed community concerns about power outages, public safety power shutoffs (PSPS), and communication improvements, highlighting new technologies and customer notification systems. The council engaged in a robust Q&A with Excel representatives, emphasizing the need for transparency, support for vulnerable populations, and innovative resilience solutions like microgrids and resiliency hubs. Additionally, the council reviewed the city's comprehensive wildfire resilience framework, which inventories over 130 projects and prioritizes wildfire risk reduction through home hardening, fuel management, and community preparedness. The city is developing measurable targets and plans to present further updates in October 2026. Council members stressed the importance of clear goals, enhanced communication, equitable support for disproportionately impacted communities, and exploring funding mechanisms to accelerate wildfire mitigation efforts.