From the Denver Business Journal - Xcel Energy Inc. on Monday said electricity bills for its Colorado customers will rise, collectively, about $52.7 million for the second quarter of 2010 to cover higher natural gas costs to fuel power plants and buying more power on the wholesale market.
Residential and small-business customer bills are expected to rise about 8 percent, the utility said.
(more…)
DENVER – The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) today approved seasonal tiered electric rates for Xcel Energy in which residential customers will pay more for higher usage during peak summer months and less during other non-peak times.
(more…)
From 9 News Denver:
DENVER – About two dozen protesters against the use of coal to generate power, rallied in front of the Public Utilities Commission building in Denver Tuesday where the PUC is holding hearings on Xcel’s second rate hike request this year.
The increase would cost the average residential customer 7.6 percent, or $4.92 a month. Xcel was granted a $112 million increase in July.
Those protesting the requested $177.4 million electric-rate increase today say it would allow Xcel to open a coal-fired plant near Pueblo. The Commanche 3 plant is already built.
“We want our electricity and our jobs to come from renewable, clean, free energy, which Colorado has lots of,” said Mimsy Milton of Littleton.
To read more about the protest over the proposed rate change visit 9 news.
Great news for solar energy, Xcel Energy withdrew their proposed rate increase on solar and net metered customers!
Denver, CO – August 4, 2009 – We have just learned that Xcel Energy has withdrawn the proposed increase on solar customers. We want to thank everyone who took the time to write or voice their concerns to the PUC. The response we received was overwhelming, and thanks to you Xcel has withdrawn their proposal for now.
We couldn’t have done this without you so thank you for supporting solar!
Please note that there are additional proposals that may affect electricity rates if you would like to learn more about these proposals please read the PUC request…
Developing news in the ongoing proposal from Xcel to raise rates on solar energy customers.
Xcel is presently asking for back-to-back rate increases for your utility bill.
These rate increases could total a 13% increase for residential bills and are almost entirely for the costs of investments in fossil fuel generation including the new Unit 3 coal plant in Pueblo (”Comanche 3″), new gas turbines at Fort St. Vrain (which will cost over 30 cents/kwh to run) and millions of extra $$ to pay for operating costs at coal plants and other fossil fuel infrastructure. Xcel is also proposing to charge a new fee to owners of solar systems that are tied to Xcel’s system.
The next public hearing is Wednesday August 5, 2009 from 4-6 pm at the PUC, 1560 Broadway (corner of Broadway and Colfax, at the top of the 16th Street Mall in Denver and across the street from the State Capitol).
Training sessions to provide background information in Boulder (7/30) and Denver (8/3) are optional but will help you understand more why those “cheap” fossil fuels are driving up utility rates….
Monday August 3, 2009, 6-8 pm–Denver Training
Blair Caldwell Library
2400 Welton St.
Denver, COWednesday August 5, 2009, 4-6 pm–PUC Public Hearing
Colorado Public Utilities Commission
1560 Broadway
Denver, COComments can be submitted electronically to
pucconsumer.complaints@dora.state.co.us.MOST IMPORTANTLY–Tell your elected officials (both state, local) that you are sick of rate increases for fossil fuels, that you want more clean energy and you want better oversight over the PUC to help protect consumers.
It has come to the attention of Bella Energy that Xcel Energy is proposing another rate increase this year. This new measure is targeted specifically at net metered customers and will penalize home owners that have chosen to invest in solar energy.
We are asking each and every one of our customers, and anyone is considering solar energy for their home, to call or write the PUC to voice their opposition the the proposed rate changes.
The proposal will have a public comment hearing on:
Wednesday, August 5th
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
1560 Broadway, Suite 1550
Denver, CO 80202
If you cannot attend this meeting, please write the PUC to voice your opposition to the new rate change, and your support for solar energy, BE SURE TO REFERENCE DOCKET #09AL-299E.
