Associated Press - November 9, 2009 9:44 AM ET

WALSENBURG, Colo. (AP) - State regulators are holding hearings on a proposal to build a new power transmission line in southern Colorado.

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission plan a meeting in Walsenburg Monday evening followed by one in Alamosa on Tuesday.

Xcel Energy and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association want to build a new substation and a 150-mile transmission line, which would stretch from the San Luis Valley to Pueblo.

It's the first joint project proposed for renewable energy zones identified by the Legislature.

If approved, the project is expected to cost about $180 million and be in service in 2013.

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