Posted on 12/23/2022 7:00:56 AM PST by george76
Commissioners promise to 'scrutinize this to a degree we've never done before'
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DENVER — State regulators with the Public Utilities Commission questioned Xcel's proposal for an electric rate hike in Wednesday's meeting, following "unprecedented" comments objecting to the proposed increase.
Xcel has proposed a $312.2 million revenue increase, which would result in an 8.2% increase ($7.33/month) for the average residential customer.
The commission has suspended the effected date of the higher rates, while the case was scheduled to be taken up again to set procedures in early February.
Commissioner John Gavan called for the commission to "scrutinize this to a degree we've never done before," especially following a gas rate hike that recently went into effect and a separate request to recoup coal supply costs from consumers.
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Xcel needs to step back and focus on customer satisfaction instead of nickel and diming us with all of these onerous rate increases that are just pancaking and adding up," Gavan said.
Regarding coal supply issues, the commission is requiring Xcel to separate the issue so customers would not have to pay the associated costs starting on Jan. 1.
Consumer advocates argue that these rate hikes have a disproportionate impact on communities that can least afford them.
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Colorado's Office of the Utility Consumer Advocated is protesting the electric rate increase, pointing to Xcel's increasing profits: $555 million in nine months this year.
"They are making extraordinarily high profits, and this company doesn't understand how they should be tightening their belts," said Cindy Schonhaut
Everybody wants wage increases and then after getting them, they wonder why the price of everything starts going up.
Duhhh....
“But not at an unlimited price. There is only one electricity supplier in every area. It is a monopoly and the prices must be regulated.”
They are regulated. This rate rise is the result of Green investments in inefficient power generation and wage increases.
Yes, a mere 8.2% increase, they should do around a 50% increase on electricity as Eversource just did in NH.
Using a mini split, it's still far cheaper than oil. (Which we do need to keep for backup for when it gets really cold, 22 below or more).
Anybody who voted democrat, or from CO didn't vote in CO, or anywhere else needs to shut up and pay up.
Those who voted republican have a perfect right to complain.
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