UPDATE: The Boulder City Council is taking a strong stance against Xcel Energy, demanding urgent compensation for customers affected by December’s power shutoffs. In a letter slated for review at a special meeting today, January 13, 2024, the council accuses Xcel of eroding customer trust and mishandling critical communications during the outages.
The council’s letter, set for discussion at 6 p.m. at the Penfield Tate II Municipal Building, outlines significant grievances against Xcel, including failures to meet emissions targets and inadequate responses during the public safety power shutoffs. This comes after tens of thousands of Boulder County residents experienced extended outages just before Christmas, leading to substantial financial losses, particularly for local businesses.
Why this matters NOW: The call for compensation highlights widespread community frustration and financial distress, as a survey indicated that 256 businesses lost an average of over $25,000 due to the outages. Nine businesses reported losses exceeding $100,000, particularly damaging during a crucial retail period.
The draft letter criticizes Xcel for prioritizing litigation avoidance over community safety, stating, “You have eroded the trust of your customers, and that is a substantial concern.” This reflects a growing sentiment among Boulder residents who have faced frequent and prolonged outages attributed to Xcel’s operational decisions.
The council’s demands include a comprehensive plan to reduce the number and impact of future power shutoffs, along with a call for Xcel to establish a fund aimed at aiding low-income households and small businesses suffering financial losses due to outages. Carolyn Elam, Boulder’s sustainability senior manager, emphasized the need for this fund, stating it should particularly help those affected by the loss of perishables, such as food and medications.
Xcel responded to the council’s concerns, asserting its commitment to public safety and acknowledging the complexities of wildfire mitigation protocols. A company spokesperson stated, “We understand the impacts of using wildfire mitigation protocols such as Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). It is a tool used solely to protect public safety, and one we do not use lightly.”
Despite the ongoing tensions, the city has decided not to sever its partnership with Xcel yet. The letter clarifies that Boulder will not pursue a different path at this time but emphasizes the importance of setting clear expectations moving forward. Boulder maintains the option to exit the franchise agreement, illustrating the high stakes involved in these negotiations.
Looking ahead, the council’s expectations from Xcel remain stringent. The utility is required to deliver a detailed action plan to minimize public safety power shutoffs and enhance communication strategies. Other key expectations include rebuilding critical infrastructure and committing to progress on emission reduction goals set for 2027 and 2030.
Boulder residents are urged to stay informed as the council prepares to vote on the letter today, potentially marking a pivotal moment in the relationship between the city and Xcel. This developing situation is a rallying point for community advocacy, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and better service from utility providers.
As this story unfolds, the implications for Boulder’s energy future and the financial well-being of its residents will be closely monitored.
