Comprehensive Colorado PUC settlement resolves three major cases

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) resolved three Xcel Energy cases on Wednesday with a single settlement that was approved without modification.

The agreement settles Xcel’s phase II electricity pricing case, allows the company to offer new solar subscriptions to its customers, and approves its 2017 Renewable Energy compliance plan.

“This decision continues the trend that Colorado is a national leader in thoughtful development of renewable energy,” PUC chairman Joshua Epel said.

Xcel’s future solar developments include the Renewable Connect program, which will offer subscriptions to a 50 megawatt solar facility in the near future, and plans to acquire more than 300 MW of on-site solar and community solar gardens.

The PUC settlement afforded energy companies in Colorado the opportunity to expand their solar generation, but it also put in place protections which will ensure that customers are safeguarded from excessive cost impact and allow the commission to retain control of future decisions regarding the fairness of proposed changes for ratepayers.

24 of 26 intervenors either supported or did not oppose the settlement, with parties to the settlement including the City of Denver, the City of Boulder, major environmental advocacy groups, large industrial customers, state and national solar power trade groups, PUC staff, and the Office of Consumer Counsel.