Colorado PUC seeks public comment on proposed stipulation to Xcel’s electric resource plan
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) recently announced two public comment hearings on a proposed stipulation that would ask the PUC to consider an additional portfolio of new generation resources for Xcel Energy’s electric resource plan.
The proposed stipulation does not seek approval of the Colorado Energy Plan Portfolio but would allow Xcel to present an additional portfolio of new generation for consideration in Phase II of the resource planning process.
Under the proposed Colorado Energy Plan Portfolio, Xcel will retire two coal units at its Comanche plant in Pueblo and replace them with new renewable and natural gas resources. The stipulation enables Xcel to own 50 percent of the nameplate capacity of all new renewable resources and 75 percent of the natural gas resources in the Colorado Energy Plan Portfolio.
Xcel said it would only present the new plan for consideration if it does not require any additional cost to its electricity customers.
Xcel, PUC staff, the Office of Consumer Counsel, large energy consumers, renewable energy advocates, environmental organizations and labor groups have signed the proposal.
The first public comment hearing will take place on Dec. 7 in Pueblo. The second will take place in Denver on Feb. 1. An evidentiary hearing on the proposal will be held on Feb. 9, 12 and 13.
According to current procedural schedule, Xcel will file a bid evaluation and selection report by the end of April and a final Phase II decision will be issued by the end of July 2018.
