Commission Updates
Xcel Energy’s 2025–2027 Wildfire Mitigation Plan, Proceeding No.24A-029
The Wildfire Mitigation Plan includes Xcel Energy’s proposed mitigation activities and investments, including targeted equipment inspections, repairs and replacements; expanded vegetation management; system protection enhancements; weather and wind modeling; practices related to public safety power shut-offs; and community and stakeholder outreach.
On April 18, the Company filed a unanimous and consensual proposed settlement, which is subject to approval by the Commission. Learn more about this on the PUC’s Key Proceeding page. The Commission will hold evidentiary hearings May 13 - 15, on the proposed settlement. A final decision is expected this summer.
The Commission held the last of three public comment hearings on April 29.
Tri-State Generation & Transmission Files Proposed ERP, Proceeding 23A-0585E
Tri-State Generation and Transmission filed on April 11 its Phase II implementation report for its electric resource plan (ERP), identifying a preferred portfolio that calls for 1,657 MW of additional capacity by 2031, including 1,350 MW of renewable energy and storage.
The filing includes a preferred portfolio that Tri-State said "is the least-cost mix of diverse generating resources" when compared to five other portfolios that were evaluated.
Based on SB19-236, Tri-State procures new resources and the PUC determines if the acquisitions are prudent and cost-effective.
The additional renewable resources are expected to help Tri-State reach its goal of having 70% of its power come from renewable resources by 2030.
Colorado-based Tri-State is a nonprofit that provides power for 40 electric distribution cooperatives and three public power districts in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming.
Tri-State currently participates in Southwest Power Pool's (SPP) Western Energy Imbalance Market and decided in September 2023 to become a full member of SPP's regional transmission organization by 2026.
Xcel Energy's Just Transition Solicitation, Proceeding No. 24A-0442E
Xcel Energy’s Just Transition Solicitation (JTS), filed on Oct. 15, 2024, outlines the utility’s next Electric Resource Plan to guide the acquisition of new renewable energy and storage projects.
The JTS aims to replace retiring coal plants—including Pueblo Unit 3 by Jan. 1, 2031, and facilities in Craig and Hayden by 2027 and 2028—with cleaner resources while ensuring resource adequacy, maintaining reliable service, and supporting a just transition for impacted communities.
The plan seeks to secure up to 14 GW of new generation/storage, achieve an 80% emissions reduction by 2030, and ensure a fair transition for workers/communities tied to coal plants.
The Commission is expected to reach a final decision by August 2025. For more information, visit the PUC Key Proceedings page: https://puc.colorado.gov/puc-home/energy-and-water/electric-resource-plans/clean-energy-plan.
Key Developments & Public Comment Hearings:
The PUC held/has scheduled three hearings:
- Pueblo (in person): April 17, 2025. View the transcript here.
- Virtual: Monday, April 28: 11 AM - 1PM, YouTube
- Hayden (in person): Thursday, May 1, 2025 - 4-6 p.m., Hayden Community Center, 495 W. Jefferson Ave., Hayden
- Virtual: Thursday, June 5: 5 - 7PM: Register here.
- Services: ASL or Spanish interpretation services can be requested by contacting Holly Bise at 303-894-2024 or holly.bise@state.co.us two weeks in advance.
New Towing Rules Are Now in Effect
New towing rules implementing HB24-1051 became effective on April 14. These rules:
- Prohibit towing carriers from actively patrolling, monitoring, or policing residential private properties to enforce parking restrictions on behalf of the property owners.
- Restrict the authorization of residential private property tows to only the property owners and property management companies, meaning property owners can no longer delegate this authority to any third-party agents.
- Clarify the process and reduce the cost to consumers for the release of personal property from towed vehicles as well as for picking up a vehicle.
- Require private property signage to include a Spanish translation.
Consumers with complaints about towing can complete the On-Line Complaint form or by calling 303-894-2070.
Basic Emergency Service (9-1-1) Rulemaking Forthcoming
In response to Commission Decision C25-0152, Commission staff has conducted workshops with 9-1-1 service stakeholders including local 9-1-1 agencies, CenturyLink as the state's 9-1-1 system service provider, and vendors that work with the 9-1-1 agencies to develop consensus draft rules. These draft rules would do the following:
- Define what types of services must be offered as mandatory and which services may be offered as optional in a Basic Emergency Service (9-1-1) tariff.
- Establish that the Commission will calculate the 9-1-1 surcharge rate in its annual proceeding to pay for both mandatory and optional services.
- Require local 9-1-1 governing bodies to report to the Commission on an annual basis regarding which optional services they have selected to purchase from the Basic Emergency Service tariff.
On April 23, the Commission agreed to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) (with the consensus rules from the workshops as the starting point), set a hearing and refer it to an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).
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