Xcel Energy has asked state regulators to sign off on a plan to fast-track bids on up to 4 gigawatts of renewable energy projects so it can take advantage of federal tax credits before they’re eliminated.

Proposals by utilities to add new power sources can take months or longer before the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. But Xcel hopes to get the go-ahead by Friday to start the process. The PUC staff, the Colorado Energy Office and the Utility Consumer Advocate office joined the motion submitted by Xcel late last week.

Time is of the essence, the motion said, because the federal tax and spending bill signed into law July 4 rapidly speeds up the phasing out of tax credits of up to 30% for renewable energy projects. Under the new laws, wind and solar projects qualify for the tax cre

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