IREA cites Coalition testimony; Xcel fuel switching plan ‘not in ratepayers best interest’
The state’s largest electric cooperative Intermountain Rural Electric Association (IREA) issued a strongly worded repudiation of Xcel Energy’s proposed “Colorado Energy Plan Portfolio” (CEPP) in comments published last week on the Colorado Public Utilities Commissions Web site. In their 14-page comments on Xcel’s required 120 day report, the non-profit electric provider cites the Coalition of Ratepayers […]
Coalition of Ratepayers Responds to Xcel Energy Allies’ Attempt to Keep Ratepayers in the Dark
MEDIA RELEASE DENVER, July 25, 2018 – Earlier today, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission rejected a motion filed by allies of Xcel Energy, Western Resource Advocates,to suppress critical testimony from Charles Griffey, a thirty-year veteran of the energy and utilities industry and adjunct professor at Rice University in Houston, Texas, in an ongoing proceeding regarding Xcel’s […]
The truth frightens Western Resource Advocates
“Three things that cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.” Budda Western Resource Advocates (WRA), a multi-state renewable energy advocacy group and intervenor supporting Xcel Energy’s Colorado Energy Plan (CEP), filed a motion on July 16 requesting that the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) disallow huge portions of the Coalition of […]
More proof that Xcel’s Colorado Energy Plan won’t save ratepayers money
By Brit Naas A major stipulation of Xcel’s Colorado Energy Plan (CEP) is a reduction in the utility’s coal fired generation. If the Public utilities Commission approves the plan, Xcel will close Comanche Units 1 and 2, which combined are capable of providing 660 megawatts of electricity. In compliance with the CEP, Xcel hopes to […]
Two little but costly words
How the words “SHALL” and “MAY” are used in a bill can make all the difference. And, so it is with HB18-1270 “Public Utilities Commission Evaluation of Energy Storage Systems.” According to the summary on the Colorado General Assembly Web site: The bill directs the public utilities commission to adopt rules establishing mechanisms for the procurement […]
Coloradans are taking on the state’s largest monopoly utility
With COPUC approval, Xcel, the state’s largest monopoly utility, plans to shift its generating portfolio from away from majority hydrocarbons (coal and natural gas) in favor of industrial wind, solar, and battery storage.
Xcel’s CEP, Comanche: Facts versus platitudes
MYTH: “In CO, energy from renewable energy projects w/ storage is cheaper than existing coal plants,” Conservation Colorado’s Pete Maysmith tweeted at me, citing a Vox column as his source. The column covered Xcel Energy’s “Colorado Energy Plan” (CEP) and renewable energy bids to replace 660 megawatts of coal-fired power from Comanche 1 and 2 […]
Coopted, corrupted and busted: OCC, regulatory process need fixing
The regulatory space at the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is the playground of corporate lawyers, unelected bureaucrats, and well-funded special interest groups. They have “stakeholder” meetings that include only themselves. Then they issue press statements slapping each other on the back for their hard work securing a “settlement” that forces Colorado working families and […]
Xcel lies. Reality dies…and so does affordable power
How Xcel is playing loose with numbers and gaming the system in its favor. Xcel Energy is a monopoly with no competition. Still it spends millions of ratepayer dollars on PR campaigns and lobbyists to convince the media, lawmakers and its hostages customers – the entire state – that it is “responsible by nature.” The […]
Tax reform brings ratepayer relief across country but not in Colorado
Across the country, utility regulators and elected officials are asking regulated monopolies in their states how they plan to pass along to customers savings from lower tax rates due to the federal tax act. Many utilities are responding. Customers from Boston to Portland are seeing their rates slashed due to the decreased the U.S. corporate […]
Power quality, promises, and profits
Power quality. That’s the phrase I heard several times after chatting with some small business owners whose livelihood – as well as those of their employees – depends upon good power quality: Good power quality can be defined as a steady supply voltage that stays within the prescribed range, steady a.c. frequency close to the […]
Retired KS lawmaker and geophysicist warns PUC against Xcel’s “inherently damaging” energy plan
“Inherently damaging” is how former Kansas State Representative and Chairman of House Energy and Environment Committee Dennis Hedke (Republican) describes Xcel Energy’s “Colorado Energy Plan” in a letter to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and copied to the Colorado State Senate majority leadership and the Independence Institute. Hedke sent the letter certified mail and […]