January 2022 PUC Update

Clean Energy Action Board Member Marguerite Behringer works for E9 Insight and part of her work is to compile summaries of Colorado Public Utilities Commission activities. E9 Insight has given CEA permission to publish the items that we think our readers might find useful. If you have questions about the content, please contact hello@e9insight.com.

Note: Xcel Energy does business in Colorado as Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo).

Note: PUC refers to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.

Transportation Electrification: Electric Vehicles, Charging Plans, and More

22AL-0056E Black Hills Electric Transportation Electrification Rates

In January 2022, Black Hills Electric Co. filed amended tariffs related to its transportation electrification programs, approved in docket no. 20A-0195E. The tariff changes included the creation of new Residential, Small General Service, and Large General Service rates for electric vehicle charging; the creation of the Transportation Electrification Programs Rider; and an update to the Company’s Extension of Electric Distribution Facilities to designate Electric Vehicle Charging Stations as Permanent Service. Black Hills requested that the tariff sheets accompanying this advice letter become effective February 2022.

 Business Models: Moneymaking, Programs, and Regional Impacts

21AL-0317E Xcel 2022 Rate Case

Various parties filed statements of position in Xcel’s rate case, including the Trial Staff for the Colorado PUC. Trial staff stated that, “The Commission should approve the settlement agreement without modification. It enjoys broad support from a diverse coalition of parties, significantly moves the ball forward on Colorado’s transition to clean energy, includes important ratepayer-focused provisions, and results in just and reasonable rates. Beyond approving the settlement agreement, the Commission must decide how Public Service ought to recover the net book value and decommissioning costs for Craig 2 and Hayden 1 and 2.” Trial staff also concluded that delaying recovery of the Craig and Hayden units could cost an additional $42.2 million.  

22A-00343 Xcel Volatility Mitigation Plan 2022-2023

Xcel Energy filed a 2022-2023 Electric Gas Price Volatility Mitigation (“Electric GPVM”) Plan, detailing the circumstances under which Public Service plans to use fixed-price contracts, natural gas storage, and financial instruments in hedging natural gas prices as part of its natural gas portfolio. The plan describes how the utility will handle fluctuating natural gas prices in a world of increasing variability.

22I-0027E Investigation Into Community Choice for Wholesale Supply

In January 2021, the Colorado PUC opened an investigatory proceeding related to the June 2021 HB 21-1269, which commissioned a study of community choice in wholesale electric supply. The bill directed the PUC to open a proceeding to consider the regulatory implications and legal impacts of possible future legislation that would allow cities and counties to acquire alternative wholesale electric supply on behalf of their residents, businesses, and local government facilities, in lieu of being provided electric supply from the incumbent investor-owned electric utilities. A report with recommendations is due to the General Assembly on or before December 15, 2022.