PSPs are not the answer

Given Xcel's recent settlement on the Marshall fire I understand its desire to avoid liability, but has anyone calculated the costs of a preemptive shutdown to those in the PSP areas? Those costs should be weighed against Xcel's potential liability. Not only did many small businesses lose revenue, but many residents in the shutdown area missed work, had to replace spoiled food, cancelled holiday plans and spent long December nights in total darkness with no way to heat our homes or make warm meals. Nearly everyone in our west Boulder neighborhood is considering installing a generator or purchasing battery-powered backup systems to prepare for future outages - all at a substantial cost. The City of Boulder also lost tax revenue as a result of the mandated business shutdowns, which will be a blow in such tight budgetary times.

Under current circumstances the shutdowns are understandable, but much more focus needs to be given to burying power lines ASAP so that shutdowns aren't needed. A couple of years ago Xcel actually raised the height of the powerlines in our area, subjecting them to even higher wind risk. Those funds should have been used instead to bury power lines. Xcel and the PUC need to focus on expediting the planning and implementation of undergrounding in high risk areas, rather than sticking with the current "many years in the future" timeline.