Coal plant delay means lower rate hike
COLORADO - Xcel Energy Inc.'s electric rates won't increase as much as expected in January because of a delay in the start of the utility's new coal-fired plant.
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission said that it approved a roughly $70 million rate increase, down from the previously granted $128.3 million.
Typical homeowners will see their monthly electric bills rise by $2.55 rather than the $4.43 under the higher rate. Small commercial customers' monthly bills will increase $3.66, compared with $6.72.
Xcel Energy's new unit at the Comanche power plant near Pueblo likely won't start up until at least February because of a leaky boiler. The Minneapolis-based utility can ask that the entire rate increase be restored once the plant starts operations.
Related News
Yale Report on Western Grid Integration: Just Say Yes
SAN FRANCISCO - A strong and timely endorsement for western grid integration forcefully rebuts claims that moving from a balkanized system with 38 separate entities to a regional operation could introduce environmental problems, raise costs, or open state energy and climate policies to challenge by federal regulators. In fact, Yale University’s Environmental Protection Clinic identifies numerous economic and environmental benefits from allowing the California Independent System Operator to become a regional grid operator.
The groundbreaking report comprehensively examines the policy and legal merits of allowing the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) to become a regional grid operator, open to any western…