Public Safety Power Shutoff

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  Xcel never seems to know when we have power or not

  by tcm, 5 months ago

  We lost power as part of the PSPS at 10am on Wed Dec 17th, even though the lines in our neighborhood are underground. Power was not restored until Thu Dec 18th at 12:30pm. Then on Friday we lost power for the next PSPS at 6am, power was restored at 2pm Sat.

  Each time, I had to periodically use Xcel's outage checker and report that out outage was still ongoing even though Xcel listed our address as having power. We had the same issue with the PSPS last April.

  The estimates Xcel provided as to when power would be restored were... Continue reading

  We lost power as part of the PSPS at 10am on Wed Dec 17th, even though the lines in our neighborhood are underground. Power was not restored until Thu Dec 18th at 12:30pm. Then on Friday we lost power for the next PSPS at 6am, power was restored at 2pm Sat.

  Each time, I had to periodically use Xcel's outage checker and report that out outage was still ongoing even though Xcel listed our address as having power. We had the same issue with the PSPS last April.

  The estimates Xcel provided as to when power would be restored were wildly inaccurate and appeared to be the same throughout most of Boulder. In addition, Xcel promised to notify us if the power would not be restored within one hour of their estimated restoration time. Those updated never ocurred. The only time we got an update when when I submitted a notification via the Xcel web site that our power was still off when Xcel's maps and online checker said it should be on. Due to this outage my wife and I lost three days of work and most of the contents of our refrigerator and freezer.

  Part of Xcel's franchise agreement with Boulder was that Xcel would underground its transmission lines. It is clear that not enough progress has been made on that front. Undergrounding transmission lines is a complex and time consuming process but it needs to be prioritized by Xcel to avoid these preventable shut-offs. Neighborhoods where the lines are already underground are still vulnerable to being shut-off in an emergency when the lines feeding those areas are still above ground.
• Share Students lost too much school in our area- ahead of 19 days off on Facebook Share Students lost too much school in our area- ahead of 19 days off on Twitter Share Students lost too much school in our area- ahead of 19 days off on Linkedin Email Students lost too much school in our area- ahead of 19 days off link

  Students lost too much school in our area- ahead of 19 days off

  by BassettA, 5 months ago
  I understand the need for wildfire safety when we have these red flag days. I am most concerned with the school impacts that occurred this week. I have lived in this neighborhood for 8 years, and we have never experienced anything like this, despite have days with MUCH stronger and higher wind. It was clear Xcel did no teaming with JEFFCO school district ahead of this, based on the irresponsible blanket closures- some areas absolutely needed the power off and closed buildings- we were not one of them, experiencing literally no wind. Jeffco and Xcel should have exercised delayed starts... Continue reading

  I understand the need for wildfire safety when we have these red flag days. I am most concerned with the school impacts that occurred this week. I have lived in this neighborhood for 8 years, and we have never experienced anything like this, despite have days with MUCH stronger and higher wind. It was clear Xcel did no teaming with JEFFCO school district ahead of this, based on the irresponsible blanket closures- some areas absolutely needed the power off and closed buildings- we were not one of them, experiencing literally no wind. Jeffco and Xcel should have exercised delayed starts to determine if the wind was actually coming, and if not, remain in buildings. Xcel took 2-3 days of school away from students who may have been needing those meals ahead of a 19 day school gap. If this is going to become a regular occurance, Xcel should cut some of thier CEOs massive salary to equip schools in these closure zones iwth generators/power walls, to avoid learning loss based on these PSPS.
• Share How does wind affect underground power feed on Facebook Share How does wind affect underground power feed on Twitter Share How does wind affect underground power feed on Linkedin Email How does wind affect underground power feed link

  How does wind affect underground power feed

  by dcook, 5 months ago
  I find it disgusting that they get away with arbitrary power denials as revenge for lawsuits related to their negligence, even moreso when we are told to prepare for 10 hour power denials that turn into days because they have no plan to turn to power back on. It worse that they blame the weather for their revenge tactics when I live in an area where power lines are UNDERGROUND. We need an alternative to choose and the PUC is the ONLY entity that can regulate competition or at a minimum ALLOW it.

  I find it disgusting that they get away with arbitrary power denials as revenge for lawsuits related to their negligence, even moreso when we are told to prepare for 10 hour power denials that turn into days because they have no plan to turn to power back on. It worse that they blame the weather for their revenge tactics when I live in an area where power lines are UNDERGROUND. We need an alternative to choose and the PUC is the ONLY entity that can regulate competition or at a minimum ALLOW it.
• Share Communications weren't great - else everyone should stop complaining on Facebook Share Communications weren't great - else everyone should stop complaining on Twitter Share Communications weren't great - else everyone should stop complaining on Linkedin Email Communications weren't great - else everyone should stop complaining link

  Communications weren't great - else everyone should stop complaining

  by ChinookG, 5 months ago
  What went wrong - confusing notifications about when and where the shutoffs would start/end

  
  

  What went ok - having lived in Evergreen for 38 years, we are used to power outages, up to one week long. We have a 2 kw and 5kw generator that we can use to run fridge and even TV. We store plenty of water ahead of storms (we are on well), and make sure we have food that we need. We have a gas stove and fireplace. So are outages inconvenient? Yes. Are they part of living in the mountains? Yes. So if folks can't... Continue reading

  What went wrong - confusing notifications about when and where the shutoffs would start/end

  
  

  What went ok - having lived in Evergreen for 38 years, we are used to power outages, up to one week long. We have a 2 kw and 5kw generator that we can use to run fridge and even TV. We store plenty of water ahead of storms (we are on well), and make sure we have food that we need. We have a gas stove and fireplace. So are outages inconvenient? Yes. Are they part of living in the mountains? Yes. So if folks can't deal with these rare outages, they should live in the city.
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  Xcel Missed the mark

  by Froril, 5 months ago
  For a public utility that has amassed billions in profit over the past five years, Xcel is more concerned with making profit for its shareholders than improving what quite frankly should be our infrastructure. Public utilities should not be publicly traded commodities. I had over a hundred thousand dollars worth of medicine in my refrigerator to treat my illness, but I had no means to get ice for my cooler. Xcel’s communication was at best poor. While it was plentiful, the information provided was often inaccurate and outright wrong. They need to do better.

  For a public utility that has amassed billions in profit over the past five years, Xcel is more concerned with making profit for its shareholders than improving what quite frankly should be our infrastructure. Public utilities should not be publicly traded commodities. I had over a hundred thousand dollars worth of medicine in my refrigerator to treat my illness, but I had no means to get ice for my cooler. Xcel’s communication was at best poor. While it was plentiful, the information provided was often inaccurate and outright wrong. They need to do better.
• Share 4 Day "Planned" Outage, Questionable Fire Risk Reduction on Facebook Share 4 Day "Planned" Outage, Questionable Fire Risk Reduction on Twitter Share 4 Day "Planned" Outage, Questionable Fire Risk Reduction on Linkedin Email 4 Day "Planned" Outage, Questionable Fire Risk Reduction link

  4 Day "Planned" Outage, Questionable Fire Risk Reduction

  by CLicciardi, 5 months ago

  My wife and I live in Morrison, and were without power from Wednesday morning through Saturday evening.

  Because my wife is pregnant and could not safely be without heat, we were forced to stay in a hotel the first night of the outage. We were fortunate to find and purchase a generator the following day, but despite that, we still lost most of the food in our refrigerator.

  While I understand and support the goal of reducing wildfire risk during extreme wind events, I am concerned that this approach may be creating new risks while shifting the burden almost entirely... Continue reading

  My wife and I live in Morrison, and were without power from Wednesday morning through Saturday evening.

  Because my wife is pregnant and could not safely be without heat, we were forced to stay in a hotel the first night of the outage. We were fortunate to find and purchase a generator the following day, but despite that, we still lost most of the food in our refrigerator.

  While I understand and support the goal of reducing wildfire risk during extreme wind events, I am concerned that this approach may be creating new risks while shifting the burden almost entirely onto residents. Forcing thousands of households to operate gasoline generators, often with extension cords running across yards and driveways, introduces its own significant fire and safety hazards. It is not clear to me that these PSPS events ultimately result in a net reduction in risk.

  From my perspective, the PUC needs to take the following actions:

  1. Hold Xcel accountable for making the infrastructure improvements necessary to reduce or eliminate the need for PSPS events, rather than relying on large-scale power shutoffs as a recurring solution.

  2. Allow for greater public utility competition in Colorado, which could incentivize improved reliability, infrastructure investment, and customer service.

  3. Require Xcel to provide reimbursements or compensation for spoiled food, hotel stays, or other direct costs incurred by customers during planned or voluntary power shutoffs.
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  Alarmingly disorganized

  by ser, 5 months ago
  We just got our power back after 5 days. The information shared by the power company was disorganized at best, as I count 31 texts from them and most were inaccurate. Since we had no power, no data service from Verizon, and no wifi access, we were completely cut off. These texts could only be accessed after a 30 minute drive from our home to an area that did have data service.

  
  

  Equally unhelpful were the maps. They were incorrect and remained almost exactly the same for the duration of the five days! We were left to our own initiative... Continue reading

  We just got our power back after 5 days. The information shared by the power company was disorganized at best, as I count 31 texts from them and most were inaccurate. Since we had no power, no data service from Verizon, and no wifi access, we were completely cut off. These texts could only be accessed after a 30 minute drive from our home to an area that did have data service.

  
  

  Equally unhelpful were the maps. They were incorrect and remained almost exactly the same for the duration of the five days! We were left to our own initiative to find areas that did have power and to figure out how to periodically go there to check information, get food, and power our devices.

  
  

  We were fortunate enough to have purchased a large battery charging device in advance, given the random warnings from Xcel about the shutoff, so we did have that. We were able to charge camping lanterns and devices. However, given the fact that we had no way to communicate or get information unless we left our area, it really did not matter if our devices were powered.

  
  

  Not only does Xcel need to improve communication, but they need to coordinate a plan with cell phone companies to prioritize towers and cell equipment, so that even if our power is cut there is some chance of making or receiving emergency calls. Yes, we lost all of our food, had no heat, no hot water, and then became ill. The biggest issue, though, was lack of decent information and a way to communicate.

  
  

  
  
• Share Thankful for the preventive measures being taken by Xcel on Facebook Share Thankful for the preventive measures being taken by Xcel on Twitter Share Thankful for the preventive measures being taken by Xcel on Linkedin Email Thankful for the preventive measures being taken by Xcel link

  Thankful for the preventive measures being taken by Xcel

  by SMofIS, 5 months ago
  I want to thank Xcel for taking safety measures to avoid a catastrophic fire in the foothills of Colorado. Although power outages are frustrating I would much rather deal with it than a fire. I know Xcel is receiving a lot of backlash right now, but you cant' hold them accountable for the Marshall fire and then blame them for trying to prevent another. I was contacted via text, email and phone to warn of the upcoming outage, so I had time to prepare. Maybe they could send out suggestions as to how to do that? Some update messages were... Continue reading

  I want to thank Xcel for taking safety measures to avoid a catastrophic fire in the foothills of Colorado. Although power outages are frustrating I would much rather deal with it than a fire. I know Xcel is receiving a lot of backlash right now, but you cant' hold them accountable for the Marshall fire and then blame them for trying to prevent another. I was contacted via text, email and phone to warn of the upcoming outage, so I had time to prepare. Maybe they could send out suggestions as to how to do that? Some update messages were conflicting. In the last three years I've seen Xcel trucks and contractors out replacing old power poles and doing what they can to provide energy safely. Underground lines would be nice, but I'm not sure we could afford the additional cost, and in the area I live in, I'm not sure how they would dig thru the bedrock to bury new lines. That said, I do NOT want to see any additional rate hikes from them.
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  Frustrating

  by TWE, 5 months ago

  This idea of public safety shut off is frustrating and borders on neglect. So many people work from home now, and turning off the power to protect Xcel liability is like stealing from these people. The Friday 12-19 shutoff had no weather event to back it up. I had breezy conditions with gusts less than 15 miles and hour. I believe Xcel is doing this to prime the public for major infrastructure bonds. They have neglected the infrastructure in lieu of CEO bonuses and "green" energy. Wish Xcel did not have a monopoly on electricity in CO.

  This idea of public safety shut off is frustrating and borders on neglect. So many people work from home now, and turning off the power to protect Xcel liability is like stealing from these people. The Friday 12-19 shutoff had no weather event to back it up. I had breezy conditions with gusts less than 15 miles and hour. I believe Xcel is doing this to prime the public for major infrastructure bonds. They have neglected the infrastructure in lieu of CEO bonuses and "green" energy. Wish Xcel did not have a monopoly on electricity in CO.
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  Something needs to change

  by DevinH, 5 months ago
  We lost our power for three days straight, and we live within the city limits of Boulder. I understand that we want to mitigate a wildfire and I am very appreciative that there were no wildfires however it has been four years since the Marshall fire and Xcel energy has invested nothing back into our community to prepare for the inevitable wins that come to Boulder. Their communication was erratic at best and extremely unhelpful. We were given completely inaccurate information about when power would be restored. I lost over $1000 in food which I could’ve preserved if given more... Continue reading

  We lost our power for three days straight, and we live within the city limits of Boulder. I understand that we want to mitigate a wildfire and I am very appreciative that there were no wildfires however it has been four years since the Marshall fire and Xcel energy has invested nothing back into our community to prepare for the inevitable wins that come to Boulder. Their communication was erratic at best and extremely unhelpful. We were given completely inaccurate information about when power would be restored. I lost over $1000 in food which I could’ve preserved if given more timely and detailed information. And we had to spend money to relocate, in the midst of a very busy work week, and lack of school and childcare.

  The only solution is for Xcel to commit to a three-year plan toprotecting our community from these kinds of power outages. Additionally, they should compromise by compensating folks who werewithout power for two or three days plus. I understand that they may not be able to cover the cost of all of our losses, but they should at least give us a few months of vouchers for energy credits, at least $500 value. Additionally, the loss to businesses has been monumental, and I know that Xcel has funds, so it should be reinvested back into our community to help folks who lost so much, and to prevent something like this from happening again.