Posted on 02/16/2023 6:36:15 PM PST by george76
Over the past few months, we’ve asked Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) questions about how they spend ratepayer dollars on advertising and sponsorships. Stay tuned for a future Springs Taxpayers United article about sponsorships. Right now, we’ll focus exclusively on the CSU advertising budget.
We wondered why a monopoly utility needs to advertise at all. No one in their service area has a choice on which utility to use.
The local advertising company Vladmir Jones handles the advertising account for CSU. Through a Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) request, we asked for all of the 2022 advertising expenditures. Vladmir Jones invoices totaled $1,135,730.
We asked CSU Spokesman Steve Berry and CSU Board President Wayne Williams for clarification, writing:
“I’d appreciate comments from both of you about the CSU sponsorships, as well as why such a significant amount of advertising is spent for a public utility that is a monopoly. Why can’t announcements be passed to customers through the website and mailers instead of spending over $1.2 million on advertising?”
Mr. Berry responded:
Colorado Springs Utilities informs and educates customers about a number of critical services that we offer such as water and energy conservation programs, cost saving tips, safety tips, payment programs, rebates, small business programs and more. It is important that our customers are aware of those programs by using multiple communications channels, and that by communicating these offerings customers are empowered to use our services safely, save money and conserve resources.
In addition, we are required to educate the public in a number of areas, to include State of Colorado requirements around publ5ic education on water conservation. This a significant focus of our public education efforts, and you have likely seen communications featuring the “Water Wise Rules.” These communications help us educate and inform customers about watering rules and have proven to be impactful. We are also required by both our insurance provider and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to educate key publics around electrical and natural gas safety.
A few days later, we received a response from CSU Board President Wayne Williams. He responded:
I understand that a response has now been sent. Thanks for circling back.
To be clear, we’re on-board with the safety messages. “Call Before You Dig” is a good message and keeps people safe. The same with warning signs about carbon monoxide leaks and the importance of carbon monoxide detectors. People need the reminders, and there is certainly value in those messages.
But, the bulk of the advertising budget is spent on the “Today We Work” campaign. Over $615,000 —more than half of the budget— was spent on the campaign
...
Do you think over $600,000 of ratepayer money —from a utility that everyone in Colorado Springs has to use— should be spent on advertising like this?
Contact Colorado Springs City Council (in their capacity as the Colorado Springs Utilities Board) and ask them to cut the CSU advertising spending in half. It is a monopoly, after all. Tell them to deliver the basics, and to stop spending ratepayer money on elaborate advertising campaigns that are nothing sandwiches.
....
Wayne Williams
Colorado Ping ( Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the list.)
It’s clear that the concept of monopoly escapes Mr. Berry. He’s probably still looking for Boardwalk!
Colorado Springs Utilities Donates Ratepayer Money As Rates Soar.. CSU is a monopoly. . CSU should focus on providing utilities at the best price possible. But instead:
Since the decommissioning of the Martin Drake Coal Power Plant, home heating rates have climbed. Many in the community can not afford to stay warm.
Reach out to the Utilities Board President Wayne Williams, and the other members
https://springstaxpayersunited.com/colorado-springs-utilities-donates-ratepayer-money-as-rates-soar/
A monopoly with liberals in charge. What could go wrong?
Ratepayers report bills double or more from the same time a year ago ...
Polis Prescribes Even Higher Utility Bills..
https://i2i.org/dr-polis-prescribes-even-higher-utility-bills/
Per the following: https://www.kktv.com/2022/08/30/drake-power-plant-downtown-colorado-springs-shut-down-this-week/
They voted for the following in 2020 for their Sustainable Energy Plan:
- Reduce carbon emissions at least 80% by 2030 and 90% by 2050.
- Retire all coal generation by 2030 and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
- Integrate new technologies responsibly by modernizing the electric grid and partnering with customers to create distributed energy resources throughout the community.
- Increase renewable energy and incorporate storage resources.
...
To help manage future energy-related costs and adapt to a changing energy industry, Colorado Springs Utilities is pursuing several key initiatives, starting with its entry into the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) on Aug. 1, 2022. Becoming a member of SPP benefits Colorado Springs Utilities customers by helping to insulate them from a volatile energy market, enhances the current and future reliability of the electric grid, and expands the ability to meet the organization’s clean energy goals.
By early 2024, Colorado Springs Utilities plans to add the 175 MW Pike Solar project to its system. When built, it will be the largest solar facility on the organization’s electric grid. Additionally, by 2024, Colorado Springs Utilities will add up to 100 MW of battery storage – the first of its kind on the system. Battery storage can increase grid resiliency and flexibility as new resources are added to the organization’s energy portfolio.
After adding Pike Solar to the existing solar, wind and hydro resources, renewable energy is estimated to represent 27% of Colorado Springs Utilities’ energy portfolio.
They all but guaranteed higher rates with this plan.
Polis and his pals knows wind and solar are not reliable.. They want us to freeze in the dark - as he releases imported, exotic, not native, Canadian - huge - timber wolves that will destroy family farms and ranches.
A friend of mine got a $500 gas/electric bill. Xcel is touting an average $11 saving for next month.
Wayne Williams, Polis , and ... want old folks to freeze in the dark / not to be able to afford food, medicine, nor ..
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