Public comment hearing on stakeholder experience with new electric service

NEWS RELEASE
COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF REGULATORY AGENCIES
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The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is seeking input from prospective utility customers, builders and housing developers, local government officials, and utility representatives on electric utility policies and practices regarding new electric service, including the costs and timing of service upgrades for interconnection.

The PUC seeks to learn more about recent and ongoing experiences with electric utility policies and practices. The PUC is principally interested in the costs and timing of new services and any necessary system upgrades for current and prospective customers of Xcel Energy (Public Service Company of Colorado) and Black Hills Energy (Black Hills Colorado Electric LLC).

The public comment hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m. The remote hearing will be held via Zoom and live streamed on YouTube.

Meeting Details
Proceeding Number 23M-0464EG.
Wednesday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m. Virtual meeting.
You must register to participate via Zoom here.
Requests for language accommodations should be made at least one week prior to the event by completing the Language Access Form. Requests can also be made directly by contacting Holly Bise at 303.894.2024 or [email protected].

What You Need to Know
The Colorado General Assembly passed Senate Bill (SB) 23-291 in May, which was signed by Governor Polis and became effective on Aug. 7. The bill outlines several actions required of the PUC to help stem rising utility costs, while incentivizing utilities to keep fuel costs down. Among these requirements is a study of the following issues:

• Potential barriers to beneficial electrification (BE) of transportation and buildings;
• Deployment of distributed energy resources (DERs), such as solar panels.
• Changes that address the transparency and affordability of energy service.

The public comment hearing will be the first in a series of public hearings over the next several months.

Comment Process
If you would like to provide oral comments at the hearing, you must register in advance at this Zoom link.

If unable to attend the hearing, individuals may submit comments using the PUC’s online form. Please include Proceeding Number 23M-0464EG.

Public comments can also be provided by:

• Submitting written comments through the Commission’s Electronic Filing System (E-Filings)
• Submitting through email at [email protected].
• 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).

About PUC
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) serves the public interest by effectively regulating utilities and facilities so that the people of Colorado receive safe, reliable, and reasonably-priced services consistent with the economic, environmental and social values of our state.

The Commission strives to accommodate all members of the public at its hearings and meetings by providing services for foreign language users and persons with disabilities upon receipt of a reasonable accommodation request. Requests for such accommodations should be made at least one week prior to the event by completing the Language Access Form. Requests can also be made directly by contacting Holly Bise at 303.894.2024 or [email protected].

About DORA
The Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and is committed to promoting a fair and competitive business environment in Colorado. Consumer protection is our mission. Visit www.dora.colorado.gov for more information.

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