Coal plant delay means lower rate hike
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.
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New England Is Burning the Most Oil for Electricity Since 2018
BOSTON - New England is relying on oil-fired generators for the most electricity since 2018 as a frigid blast boosts demand for power and natural gas prices soar.
Oil generators were producing more than 4,200 megawatts early Thursday, accounting for about a quarter of the grid’s power supply, according to ISO New England. That was the most since Jan. 6, 2018, when oil plants produced as much as 6.4 gigawatts, or 32% of the grid’s output, said Wood Mackenzie analyst Margaret Cashman.
Oil is typically used only when demand spikes, because of higher costs and emissions concerns. Consumption has been consistently…
