Colorado’s largest utility is passing on price hikes that will raise the average natural gas bill to $177 from $115
Cindy Schonhaut
Posted inBusiness, Energy, News
Xcel Energy can recover $509 million from consumer bills after February 2021 storm, judge rules
Xcel can recover $509 million from customers in coming months’ bills to pay for surging natural gas costs during the southwestern freeze in February 2021, an administrative law judge ruled this week, despite finding the utility should have warned consumers to cut usage and save money during the storm. The Colorado Office of Utility Consumer […]
Posted inBusiness, Climate, Economy, Energy, Environment, Equity, News, Politics and Government
Xcel Energy rate hikes would raise utility bills up to $18 per month. And they’re not done yet.
Xcel Energy is seeking $950 million in natural gas and electricity rate increases that would raise the average residential utility bill $16.49 by the end of this year with the increase climbing to $18.32 by 2023. Three proposed rate hikes — one for electricity, one for natural gas and one to recoup money from a […]
Posted inBusiness, Climate, Energy, Environment, News, Politics and Government
Closing a coal-fired power plant in Pueblo to meet Colorado climate goals is easier said than done
This much is certain: Comanche 3 — Xcel Energy’s $1.3 billion coal-fired power plant in Pueblo — is going to close. When and how are now issues of intense debate before the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. The fate of the plant — the state’s largest single emitter of carbon dioxide — is key to Colorado […]
Posted inBusiness, Climate, Energy, Environment, News
After collecting $610 million from Colorado customers, regulators say it’s time to end Xcel’s pipeline repair fee
What was supposed to be a quick way to raise money to address pipeline safety issues, a little add-on of about $3 a month for the average household, has lingered on Xcel Energy natural gas bills for a decade – but it may finally end. Xcel has since 2011 raised nearly $610 million, or three […]
Posted inBusiness, Climate, Energy, Environment, News
Colorado’s consumer advocate gets wider climate powers and a new name
The state watchdog Office of Consumer Counsel announced a name change Wednesday and broader powers to intervene against utilities on behalf of the public in areas like climate change, career changes for energy workers and environmental justice for pollution-impacted communities. The renamed Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate is also hiring additional attorneys for the […]
Posted inBusiness, Climate, Energy, Environment, News
Xcel Energy needs a smarter, greener electric grid. But should Colorado customers foot the $344 million bill for it?
Xcel Energy is pushing for a record $344 million rate increase it says it needs to build a smarter, greener electric grid. But consumer advocates and state regulators are pushing back over the price tag. A major concern is that along with an earlier rate increase and other pending requests since the start of 2020, […]
Posted inBusiness, COVID, Energy, News
Xcel pushes natural gas rate hike for Colorado customers even as regulators ask for coronavirus-related delay
Xcel Energy is pressing ahead with a proposed $145 million natural gas rate increase despite concerns by consumer advocates and a state regulator about its impact on customers in the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic. In a March 18 ruling, Colorado Public Utilities Commission Administrative Law Judge Steven Denman said he “strongly encourages” Xcel […]
Posted inBusiness, Energy, Growth, News
Want cheaper electricity? Xcel Energy wants to help — if you’re willing to do your laundry at 2 a.m.
Lisa Ferreira’s hot tub became a little less hot and her washing machine a little more nocturnal when she and her husband tested out the new electricity rates that Xcel Energy now wants to extend to all 1.2 million of its residential customers in Colorado. Ferreira and her husband were part of Xcel Energy’s two-year […]