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Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) January 2025 |
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The PUC bi-monthly newsletter shares the latest information from the Commission including decisions, upcoming proceedings, opportunities for public comment, job opportunities and other updates. |
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Gov. Polis Reappoints Colorado PUC Commission Chair Eric Blank
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Governor Jared Polis reappointed current PUC Chair Eric Blank for a second four-year term, effective Jan. 12, 2025. Blank was first appointed PUC Chairman for a four-year term in January 2021. His reappointment is now subject to confirmation by the state legislature.
“Serving as PUC Chair has been a tremendous honor, and I am excited for the opportunity for another term to continue our work on behalf of Coloradans,” said PUC Chair Eric Blank. “I want to thank the Governor, the PUC Staff and my fellow Commissioners for their expertise, hard work and dedication to the Commission.”
Blank, a lawyer and economist, has worked on electric utility and clean energy issues for over 40 years in a diverse range of entrepreneurial, business, and non-profit settings. Blank co-founded a pioneering national renewable energy development company that helped to commercialize the first wind and then later solar technologies by building some of the earliest and largest clean energy projects outside of California.
PUC’s Actions Protect Consumers and Help Save Money During Extreme Cold Weather
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The PUC and the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management encouraged consumers to be prepared for January’s extreme cold weather. The PUC is protecting consumers with:
Protections against spikes in natural gas costs
The PUC works to keep energy affordable and save consumers money. SB23-291 instructed the PUC to create protections for consumers against spikes in natural gas costs. The PUC established a price cap on natural gas and a rainy day fund to cover costs when prices exceed the price cap. These measures help protect consumers from wild fluctuations in natural gas prices that can occur during large storm events such as Storm Uri in 2021.
Protections that prohibit disconnections during cold weather events
Utilities that are regulated by the PUC must postpone disconnection to a residential customer on any day when the National Weather Service local forecast between 6 AM and 9 AM predicts that the temperature will be 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower at any time in the following 24 hours.
Utility bill assistance programs for those in need
The PUC is continuing the Utility Bill Help (UBH) program into a second pilot year. Consumers who enroll in the program have utility bills capped at 6 percent of their income and may also receive arrearage forgiveness. The UBH program connects customers of Xcel Energy, Black Hills Energy, Atmos Energy and Colorado Natural Gas.
Between October 2024 and Jan. 1, 2025, UBH received 539 applications and referred 513 applicants to energy assistance programs. Additionally, 68 applicants were resubmitted for re-enrollment from the 2023-2024 heating season. All 321 Xcel customers enrolled in assistance for the 2023-2024 heating season remain in the assistance program for the 2024-2025 heating season.
For more information on UBH, visit https://puc.colorado.gov/utilitybillhelp, call 303-869-0380, or email dora_utility_bill_help@state.co.us.
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Commission Updates
Black Hills Colorado Electric Proposed Rate Increase, Proceeding No. 24AL-0275E
Black Hills Colorado Electric is requesting a rate increase for its electric service in Colorado, which would take effect on March 22, 2025, if approved by Commissioners. On June 14, 2024, Black Hills filed the proposed increase requesting Commission approval of an annual revenue increase of approximately $25 million.
The average residential monthly bill would increase by $15.11, from $109.67 to $124.78. The average small commercial monthly bill would increase by $23.03, from $242.38 to $265.41.
Black Hills says the increase is necessary to cover the rising cost of operating and maintaining its electric system in Southern Colorado. This includes the cost of equipment like poles, wires, and transformers, as well as competitive pay and benefits for local employees.
The PUC held four public comment hearings in the Fall, on the proposed rate increase, including two in Pueblo, one in Canon City, and a virtual meeting in early December. Additional public comments are encouraged prior to Feb. 12, when the Commission is scheduled for deliberations. The PUC is expected to reach a final decision on the rate increase in March of 2025.
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Commission Approves Black Hills Colorado Gas, Inc. Clean Heat Plan, Proceeding No. 23A-0633G |
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The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) concluded deliberations and approved Black Hills Colorado Gas’s first Clean Heat Plan on Jan. 22. The approved plan includes energy efficiency and electrification projects along with $18 million in funding to support these efforts. A final written decision on the proceeding is still pending but will be issued in the next few weeks.
Xcel Energy Time of Use Rate Update, Proceeding No. 24AL-0377E
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Time of Use (TOU) rates are designed to provide rates that more accurately reflect the actual cost of operating an electric system, encourage more efficient use of the system, reduce costly infrastructure investment and help to keep electric rates lower in the long term. On-peak periods are set when demand is highest and costs are greater to generate and deliver energy. When demand is low, the cost of electricity is generally lower because there is less stress on the electricity grid and cheaper energy sources are available. For example, wind generated electricity is typically more available overnight, and it is less expensive to produce and distribute at that off-peak time.
The Commission requested that Xcel Energy submit a proposal to update current TOU periods because conditions on Xcel’s system have evolved, and will continue to, since the TOU rates were first approved (in 2020). Xcel’s proposal is designed to collect the same amount of revenue as the rate it replaces and the average customer will pay the same amount over the course of a year on the TOU rate as they do on their existing rate.
The Commission held a public comment hearing on Dec. 17, and public comments can be submitted to the PUC website. The Commission is expected to conduct final deliberations in February. The effective date for new TOU rates will be determined as part of the Commission’s final decision. Learn more about TOU on the PUC website: https://puc.colorado.gov/time-of-use-rates.
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Xcel Energy Files 2025-27 Wildfire Mitigation Plan, Proceeding 24A-0296E
On June 27, Xcel Energy filed an updated Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WMP) with the Commission. The WMP includes mitigation activities and investments totaling $1.9 billion such as: targeted equipment inspections, repairs, and replacements; expanded vegetation management; system protection enhancements; weather and wind modeling; and community and stakeholder outreach. The filing also includes a corresponding Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPP) Plan. Evidentiary hearings on the WMP are scheduled for May of 2025. Public comment can be submitted anytime through the PUC’s website and the PUC will host several public hearings.
WMP Virtual Public Comment Hearings:
WMP Stakeholder Meetings:
The PUC also is hosting tailored discussions with key stakeholders including state government agency experts. The public can learn more about the WMP by watching these meetings on the Commission’s YouTube channel. More information is available on the PUC calendar.
- Remote Technical Conference: Monday, Jan. 27, 1 PM.
- Commissioners’ Information Meeting: Thursday, Feb. 20., 1 PM to 4 PM.
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Xcel Energy’s Just Transition Plan, Proceeding 24A-0442E
On Oct. 15, Xcel Energy filed for PUC approval of its 2024 “Just Transition Solicitation” (JTS). The JTS is Xcel Energy’s next Electric Resource Plan to address the acquisition of new utility resources to meet future electricity needs on its system. A principal component of the JTS will be replacement resources for the 2030 retirement of Unit 3 (coal) at Xcel Energy’s generation facilities in Pueblo. A schedule including public comment hearings will be coming soon.
Proposed Rule on Taxi Fares, Proceeding No. 24R-0448TR
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The Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) on Oct. 22, 2024 proposing amendments to the maximum rates that can be charged for taxicab service within the ten most populous counties: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld.
A virtual public comment hearing was held Jan. 7 and the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) overseeing the rulemaking has extended the deadline for submitting written public comments to Jan. 28.
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PUC Issues Report on Rail Safety
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The PUC’s Rail & Transit Safety Section submitted a Colorado Rail Safety Report to the state legislature in December 2024. The report was required by HB24-1030 which established several new requirements for heavy rail safety regulation in Colorado. The PUC is also working to establish an Office of Rail Safety within the Commission and has entered into an initial agreement with the Federal Railroad Administration to provide Colorado with state inspection authority.
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Commission Calendar & Upcoming Events
Please visit the PUC Calendar to learn about upcoming PUC events and hearings. Visit the PUC calendar.
Electric & Gas Rules to Implement Labor Requirements, Proceeding No. 24R-0559EG:
The PUC seeks comments on proposed rules on labor requirements for electric and gas utilities in the context of electric resource planning and infrastructure projects. The PUC is conducting this rulemaking in response to SB23-292 and to clarify its treatment of Best Value Employment Metrics (BVE Metrics). BVE Metrics provide information about the workforce involved in constructing energy projects, including their access to training, competitive wages and benefits, use of in-state labor, and other factors. The rulemaking also addresses Energy Sector Public Works Projects, which require certain infrastructure projects to be constructed by contractors who provide apprenticeships and prevailing wages.
Virtual Public Comment Hearing:
- Tuesday, March 4, 11 AM to 5PM, and ending earlier if all comments are received. Visit the online PUC Calendar for information on how to participate.
Xcel Energy’s Thermal Energy Network, Proceeding No. 24A-0369G:
Xcel Energy filed an application for approval of its Thermal Energy Network Pilot as required by HB 23-1252. Xcel is required to propose at least one pilot program, consisting of one or more pilot projects, to provide thermal energy service in its service area. A virtual public comment hearing was held on January 21st and public comments can be submitted online via the Commission’s website.
Incarcerated People’s Communications Services (IPCS) Meeting:
IPCS is hosting an initial virtual meeting to create a task force for ongoing dialogue between IPCS companies, advocacy groups and the public to:
- Educate stakeholders regarding how and why IPCS functions
- Find voluntary solutions to address issues as they arise
- Generally discuss ways to improve service to the end users
Virtual Information Meeting:
- Tuesday, Feb. 11, 6 PM to 7PM
- Register here.
 More Opportunities for Comment
Have something to say? Anyone can submit written or verbal public comments. Public comments should reference a proceeding number by:
- Submitting written comments through the Commission’s Electronic Filing System (E-Filings)
- Submitting written comments using the Commission’s online form.
- Submitting through email at dora_puc_website@state.co.us.
- Mailing comments to the Commission’s offices at: Colorado Public Utilities Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 250, Denver, CO 80202.
- Calling (303) 869-3490 to leave oral comments (English and Spanish options).
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PUC Job Openings!
Want to join a dynamic work environment with a focus on consumer protection in topics from rail, pipeline, towing, moving companies, utilities and more? Check out the open PUC position openings on PUC’s main page or on the state jobs page.
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