NEWS RELEASE
XCEL ENERGY
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Xcel Energy-Colorado announced today a plan to increase funding for programs that provide financial assistance to customers having difficulty paying their bill. The proposal would expand the Electric Affordability Program and the Gas Affordability Program, providing a boost in funding of more than 375%, or about $47 million in additional support over the coming year, to the company’s most vulnerable customers. This plan was submitted to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission for consideration today.
“We are committed to doing all that we can to address affordability for our customers, and expanding these programs is one step we are taking to help,” said Robert Kenney, president of Xcel Energy—Colorado. “The Electric and Gas Affordability Programs provide bill credit and bill forgiveness to qualified customers and will offer greater support where it’s most needed.”
The Affordability Programs have helped Colorado gas and electric customers since 2009 and 2010, respectively. In 2022 alone, about 29,500 Colorado customers received more than $16 million in combined energy bill assistance. Under today’s proposal, an additional $24 million would be added to the EAP annually, and an additional $23 million annually would fund the GAP, ensuring the additional funding needs for these programs to assist more customers are met while enhancing the support currently provided to qualified customers. The expanded funding would be provided through the Service and Facilities fee on monthly bills and represents an additional $1.48 a month on a combination natural gas and electric customers’ bills.
“Energy Outreach Colorado appreciates Xcel Energy’s efforts to innovate and enhance their critical energy affordability programs,” said Jennifer Gremmert, Executive Director of Energy Outreach Colorado (EOC). “These efforts come at a critical time for vulnerable Colorado households, and we look forward to partnering with the company to educate, enroll and support more families in achieving energy affordability.”
Enrollment in EAP and GAP is an automated process that takes place when customers apply for and receive funds through the state of Colorado’s Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP), EOC or receive weatherization services from the Colorado Energy Office. Residential customers can now be automatically enrolled in the EAP and GAP programs once Xcel Energy receives notification that a customer has been awarded benefits from LEAP, EOC or the Colorado Energy Office .
Customers are also encouraged to contact Xcel Energy if they’re having trouble paying their bill. The company can provide customers with options such as affordable payment plans, energy assistance programs or an Averaged Monthly Payment. Customers can learn more about Xcel Energy’s energy assistance programs at xcelenergy.com/EnergyAssistance or call 1-800-895-4999.
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