Colorado utilities commission investigating Xcel Energy’s windstorm power shutoff
DENVER (KDVR) — The Colorado Public Utilities Commission is following Gov. Jared Polis’s direction to investigate Xcel Energy’s decision to shut off power in parts of the Front Range due to excessive wind speeds.
The notice of investigation was filed on the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agency’s electronic filing website. In a virtual meeting, the three-member Commission discussed the Front Range wind event and the power shutoff.
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On Tuesday, Xcel said all customers whose power was shut off voluntarily by the service provider or cut off due to a downed line was restored. The company said about 194,000 customers experienced power outages during the April 6-7 windstorm, including 55,000 customers who had their power shut off with only a couple hours of preparation.
As a part of the investigation, the commission opened an online survey and comment form to seek immediate input. The Commission is also holding a virtual public comment hearing on April 17 from 4-7 p.m., or as long as it takes. Anyone who wishes to speak during the meeting should register in advance. Anyone who wants to listen can find the stream on the PUC’s YouTube channel.
Also, later this month, the Commission will convene a workshop with Xcel and stakeholder groups to hear more details and explore lessons learned.
Xcel said the goal with shutting off power was to prevent any wildfires that could have occurred from the power lines, and said it enacted “wildfire safety settings” on the power system. During the windstorm, Xcel changed settings in many areas to prevent automatic power restoration.
In a letter to Xcel Energy, Polis expressed his disappointment and frustration with the shutoff.
“Shutting off power to customers is a serious and challenging decision that should only be done as a last resort. Customers deserve transparency, real-time information, and accountability if these events occur,” Polis wrote. “While I applaud your staff and front line crews for restoring power in a challenging situation where major infrastructure damage did in fact occur, this incident has further harmed Xcel’s reputation and social license.”
Xcel Energy gives itself a grade of B- for Front Range windstorm communications
Xcel is currently facing hundreds of lawsuits alleging the utility company started the Marshall Fire, which is known as the most damaging fire in Colorado’s history, destroying over 1,000 homes and accumulating over $2 billion in property damage. Xcel has denied any part in the fire’s origin.
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Colorado Public Utilities Commissioner Chair Eric Blank said Tuesday he’s still searching for information and details about the wind event and how it affected area power distribution.
“What we do know is there were a number of downed distribution lines that did not lead to another catastrophic fire,” Blank said. “So that’s a critical takeaway from this. At the same time, as outlined in the Governor’s letter, it appears that the company’s efforts regarding timely notice, communication and coordination as among impacted customers, community leaders, emergency responders and perhaps other utilities could have been far better than it was, and could have perhaps helped materially mitigate customer losses.”
Blank recommended five courses of action:
Open an investigation into Xcel Energy
Hold a public comment period on April 17 to hear from impacted stakeholders
400 comments have been received from customers and others. He asked that they be made public.
Hold a structured, informational meeting toward the end of April to discuss this issue
Explore the pros and cons of promoting emergency roles based on what other Western states already require from the utilities
This location hit close to 100 mph during the April windstorm
Blank also said that he expects a wildfire mitigation plan will be submitted by the company in the coming weeks or months that would include allowing a power shutoff in a timely manner with proper guardrails.
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