Public Safety Power Shutoff

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  Why just us?

  by blhiii, 5 months ago
  My power went off at 5:50 AM this morning. It’s now 10 PM and the power here is still off. The latest communication from Xcel, a text message, says that it might be off for days. Yet I can walk about three minutes to the west of my home, across one street and the lights are on. If I go south a couple blocks the lights are on. Essentially, we are a small island of perhaps 50, maybe 100 homes that are dark surrounded by a sea of homes that have power.

  
  

  The expressed reason for these “public safety power... Continue reading

  My power went off at 5:50 AM this morning. It’s now 10 PM and the power here is still off. The latest communication from Xcel, a text message, says that it might be off for days. Yet I can walk about three minutes to the west of my home, across one street and the lights are on. If I go south a couple blocks the lights are on. Essentially, we are a small island of perhaps 50, maybe 100 homes that are dark surrounded by a sea of homes that have power.

  
  

  The expressed reason for these “public safety power shutoffs“ is for, well, public safety. It’s really quite difficult to understand why it’s necessary to keep our power off when our close neighbors have power. What public safety purpose does this serve? None. This is probably a matter of convenience for Xcel. Or, it could be simple incompetence. Whatever it is, it is very annoying.
  
  

  And, none of us have any recourse. We can’t pick another provider of electricity. Xcel is a monopoly, so we just have to put up with whatever incompetence they subject us to.
• Share Too long on Facebook Share Too long on Twitter Share Too long on Linkedin Email Too long link

  Too long

  by Beej, 5 months ago
  We were without power for 25 hours Wed - Thursday but did have high winds. Today without power from about 09:00 and projected to last til late night 20th or 21st. We had no high winds in my area today, so why no power? No one to give an explanation, just hit or miss checking websites given to us for info. Unacceptable to have power outage for so long with no explanation why our particular area and no person to talk to.!

  We were without power for 25 hours Wed - Thursday but did have high winds. Today without power from about 09:00 and projected to last til late night 20th or 21st. We had no high winds in my area today, so why no power? No one to give an explanation, just hit or miss checking websites given to us for info. Unacceptable to have power outage for so long with no explanation why our particular area and no person to talk to.!
• Share Zero Trust in PUC and Xcel - focus on climate hoax and profits has compromised our infrastructure on Facebook Share Zero Trust in PUC and Xcel - focus on climate hoax and profits has compromised our infrastructure on Twitter Share Zero Trust in PUC and Xcel - focus on climate hoax and profits has compromised our infrastructure on Linkedin Email Zero Trust in PUC and Xcel - focus on climate hoax and profits has compromised our infrastructure link

  Zero Trust in PUC and Xcel - focus on climate hoax and profits has compromised our infrastructure

  by meloncholy31, 5 months ago

  We rely on Xcel to provide reliable power, ALWAYS. We also rely on PUC to appropriately regulate public utilities. We understand during a storm that sometimes power is lost but that is not this situation. Their infrastructure should be hardy enough that the power is NEVER turned off. They make billions of dollars a year. Their executives make double digit millions between salary and bonuses. What is PUC doing that this is acceptable especially since you rubber stamp their rate increases every year? It tells me that you are all in bed together and you could care less about the... Continue reading

  We rely on Xcel to provide reliable power, ALWAYS. We also rely on PUC to appropriately regulate public utilities. We understand during a storm that sometimes power is lost but that is not this situation. Their infrastructure should be hardy enough that the power is NEVER turned off. They make billions of dollars a year. Their executives make double digit millions between salary and bonuses. What is PUC doing that this is acceptable especially since you rubber stamp their rate increases every year? It tells me that you are all in bed together and you could care less about the consumer. This is especially true in regards to people on fixed incomes and with significant health issues that rely on power equipment to keep them alive.

  I've seen comments that we should have backup power systems. Really? Having a generator installed is very expensive. Also, I have solar but because it is leased, Xcel gets to keep the excess capacity and I only get a lower rate. In these shutoff situations it should be automatic that I am able to use my solar to power my home as well as to charge a backup battery. There is sufficient speculation that these PSPS events are only retaliation by Xcel as a result of having to pay a settlement from a suit by the state against them for the Marshall fire, even though it wasn't proven that powerlines caused the fire. Considering we have these kinds of wind events every winter there really isn't any excuse. My question to PUC is, where did that $650M go? Why wouldn't you require, as a part of that settlement, that Xcel create a detailed plan for hardening the infrastructure. Both PUC and Xcel need to focus on the consumer and not profits or CYA. I'm trying to be polite but doing this right before Christmas and impacting so many people's lives and businesses is unacceptable.

  We are now on our 3rd day of no power, with only a reprieve of 15 hours between. I have had to work from home, luckily I have a small generator for my travel trailer so I can power my refridgerator, freezer and small devices. Without this we would be throwing away food, some of which are gifts for Christmas.
• Share Inconsistent and asinine on Facebook Share Inconsistent and asinine on Twitter Share Inconsistent and asinine on Linkedin Email Inconsistent and asinine link

  Inconsistent and asinine

  by pbshank, 5 months ago

  This PSPS is absolutely asinine and inconsistent. Here in Georgetown half of the town is without power. Walk across the street and they have power. Less than 12 hours notice to prepare for three days without power is ridiculous given the circumstances.
  
  

  Georgetown isn’t even in the fire danger zone maps provided by NWS and 9NEWS. It’s the calmest it’s been all week. My weather station shows an avg wind speed of 7mph and peak gusts of 24mph. This shutoff is uncalled for here. Three days when just across the street there’s power.
  
  Make them put power lines underground and... Continue reading

  This PSPS is absolutely asinine and inconsistent. Here in Georgetown half of the town is without power. Walk across the street and they have power. Less than 12 hours notice to prepare for three days without power is ridiculous given the circumstances.
  
  

  Georgetown isn’t even in the fire danger zone maps provided by NWS and 9NEWS. It’s the calmest it’s been all week. My weather station shows an avg wind speed of 7mph and peak gusts of 24mph. This shutoff is uncalled for here. Three days when just across the street there’s power.
  
  Make them put power lines underground and seize the CEO pay to accomplish it

  
  
• Share Xcel wasted millions that could have undergrounded our wires on Facebook Share Xcel wasted millions that could have undergrounded our wires on Twitter Share Xcel wasted millions that could have undergrounded our wires on Linkedin Email Xcel wasted millions that could have undergrounded our wires link

  Xcel wasted millions that could have undergrounded our wires

  by Evan Ravitz , 5 months ago
  Xcel spent millions that we paid them for electricity to fight Boulder's attempt to become energy independent. All that money could have been spent to underground the power lines that started the Marshall fires and forced the shutdowns today and Wednesday. And they plan to spend billions more anne even more power lines, when excel's president told Boulder city council that 2/3 the cost of electricity was for transmission and distribution. A non-parasitic electric utility would instead incentivize home solar, which reduces or eliminates the need for any more power lines! This was a giant success in Germany which is... Continue reading

  Xcel spent millions that we paid them for electricity to fight Boulder's attempt to become energy independent. All that money could have been spent to underground the power lines that started the Marshall fires and forced the shutdowns today and Wednesday. And they plan to spend billions more anne even more power lines, when excel's president told Boulder city council that 2/3 the cost of electricity was for transmission and distribution. A non-parasitic electric utility would instead incentivize home solar, which reduces or eliminates the need for any more power lines! This was a giant success in Germany which is now one of the greenest countries in the world as a result. Xcel is not our "partner"! Xcel is purely parasitic and must be run out of town.
• Share Seize Xcel energy's assets, shut them down on Facebook Share Seize Xcel energy's assets, shut them down on Twitter Share Seize Xcel energy's assets, shut them down on Linkedin Email Seize Xcel energy's assets, shut them down link

  Seize Xcel energy's assets, shut them down

  by Moff, 5 months ago

  This company is obviously and clearly retaliating against the areas near the marshall fire. They've expanded the area to pretend they're not doing so this time, but I'm not buying it. They were sued, because instead of spending the BILLIONS in taxpayer subsidies they've been given on upgrading infrastructure, they paid their executives and shareholders more. Public services should not be profitable, especially when taxes subsidize them. Since wind has been an ongoing problem forever here, this company should've put the lines underground DECADES AGO when they were GIVEN OBSCENE AMOUNTS OF MONEY out of our TAXES to do so.... Continue reading

  This company is obviously and clearly retaliating against the areas near the marshall fire. They've expanded the area to pretend they're not doing so this time, but I'm not buying it. They were sued, because instead of spending the BILLIONS in taxpayer subsidies they've been given on upgrading infrastructure, they paid their executives and shareholders more. Public services should not be profitable, especially when taxes subsidize them. Since wind has been an ongoing problem forever here, this company should've put the lines underground DECADES AGO when they were GIVEN OBSCENE AMOUNTS OF MONEY out of our TAXES to do so. This is a trend too, Xfinity has done the same thing with the money we have GIVEN THEM to upgrade broadband infrastructure. They promised to out Fiber in, and manipulated everyone by adding "last mile fiber" so they can say they TECHNICALLY put fiber in, while pocketing the bulk of the subsidies they fraudulently accepted. They ALSO force us to pay EVER INCREASING FEES FOR POWER on TOP of the subsidies they're given from our taxes, and that needs to stop. They have NOT provided us with extra services, and the prices should not rise because of that. There is NO EXCUSE except corruption and greed for what they've done, and I want every decision maker at that corrupt company imprisoned, and I want ALL their assets seized. I want the functional monopoly xcel has over the power industry in colorado broken up, their state contracts revoked (REGARDLESS of the consequences for the states Treasury), and I want their assets seized, and distributed to local municipalities, and I want those assets and funds used to fund public, non-profit power companies which are owned and operated by the taxpayers in each municipality.

  
  

  Any politicians who are not working towards this goal will not have my vote. Our politician's support, and enabling of xcels corrupt, horrible, retaliatory behavior towards the areas which sued them for burning everyone's houses down with their CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE has ensured I am now a single issue voter. And the same goes for Xfinity/Comcast. Close them down too. If any politician isn't vocally and publicly putting forth plans to break up both of these monopolies, and return control of VITAL PUBLIC SERVICES to the taxpayers, I will NOT support them, hell I might run against them myself.
• Share Inbox Documents Clear Pattern on Facebook Share Inbox Documents Clear Pattern on Twitter Share Inbox Documents Clear Pattern on Linkedin Email Inbox Documents Clear Pattern link

  Inbox Documents Clear Pattern

  by Maz, 5 months ago

  My inbox documents a clear pattern:
  frequent outages, shifting restoration forecasts, and customer communication that’s reactive rather than informed.

  The timing is troubling.
  On December 9th, I received a rate-hike notice justified by “billions spent on infrastructure improvements.” Minutes later, the first of many outage alerts arrived — the start of nearly continuous service instability.

  PUC should be aware of:

  • Inability to provide stable restoration estimates

  • Systemwide fragility causing repeated PSPS-level outages

  • A communication system that overwhelms customers without providing clarity

  • Service degradation occurring simultaneously with proposed rate increases

  Customers aren’t asking for perfection — just evidence that the investments... Continue reading

  My inbox documents a clear pattern:
  frequent outages, shifting restoration forecasts, and customer communication that’s reactive rather than informed.

  The timing is troubling.
  On December 9th, I received a rate-hike notice justified by “billions spent on infrastructure improvements.” Minutes later, the first of many outage alerts arrived — the start of nearly continuous service instability.

  PUC should be aware of:

  • Inability to provide stable restoration estimates

  • Systemwide fragility causing repeated PSPS-level outages

  • A communication system that overwhelms customers without providing clarity

  • Service degradation occurring simultaneously with proposed rate increases

  Customers aren’t asking for perfection — just evidence that the investments we’re being asked to fund are producing measurable results.

  Right now, the email history suggests they aren’t.
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  Rotten food

  by CLB, 5 months ago
  My husband and I are retired and go south during the winter. We have different people checking on our house. However, they cannot do anything about spoiled food when Ccel Keri’s shutting down

  The power. I had to throw out two freezers and a fridge full of food and get MOLD out between the doors of my fridge two years ago. Now they have shut our power down twice in the last two days. In my opinion they are just covering their own Axxes!
  please stop this nonsense and make them put the lines underground!! And or be respectful of... Continue reading

  My husband and I are retired and go south during the winter. We have different people checking on our house. However, they cannot do anything about spoiled food when Ccel Keri’s shutting down

  The power. I had to throw out two freezers and a fridge full of food and get MOLD out between the doors of my fridge two years ago. Now they have shut our power down twice in the last two days. In my opinion they are just covering their own Axxes!
  please stop this nonsense and make them put the lines underground!! And or be respectful of their customers I don’t see a break in my bills or an offer to replace all the ruined food!!!!

  
  

  Frustrated,
  Carolyn Geer

  
  

  
  
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  Abysmal Communication

  by dwrinaldo, 5 months ago
  We were first told power would turn off at 20:00 AM and be back by 6:00 PM. It actually turned off earlier. Then later in the afternoon restart time was moved to 7:30 PM. That time came and went with no power. Finally we were informed it would return at 6:00 PM the next day. By that time the outage map on the internet had failed. Power was finally restored around 2;00.

  As if to compensate for the lack of communication about the Wednesday shutdown, we received multiple and conflicting texts emails and calls about Friday’s shutdown, with anticipated restoration... Continue reading

  We were first told power would turn off at 20:00 AM and be back by 6:00 PM. It actually turned off earlier. Then later in the afternoon restart time was moved to 7:30 PM. That time came and went with no power. Finally we were informed it would return at 6:00 PM the next day. By that time the outage map on the internet had failed. Power was finally restored around 2;00.

  As if to compensate for the lack of communication about the Wednesday shutdown, we received multiple and conflicting texts emails and calls about Friday’s shutdown, with anticipated restoration between 6:00 pm on the 10th to 10:00 pm on the 20th, all before 8:00 AM on the 19th

  
  
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  Xcel’s greed ruins Christmas

  by Mbruce0316, 5 months ago

  There is allot of messed up things that happened because of this power outage that did not need to happen and the PUC needs to wake the F up and do something about xcels profit greed. Xcel wants to raise rates on us again when their ceo made $12.6 million last year and the Colorado head Robert Kenny made close to $10 million. Monopoly public utilities should not be for profit and should not strive to make money for its shareholders while neglecting & frankly ripping off their customers. We all know this power shut off is not for “safety”... Continue reading

  There is allot of messed up things that happened because of this power outage that did not need to happen and the PUC needs to wake the F up and do something about xcels profit greed. Xcel wants to raise rates on us again when their ceo made $12.6 million last year and the Colorado head Robert Kenny made close to $10 million. Monopoly public utilities should not be for profit and should not strive to make money for its shareholders while neglecting & frankly ripping off their customers. We all know this power shut off is not for “safety” there have been way worse winds this last year. We all know it is for xcel’s profit, which is incredibly cruel for them to pick the last 3 days of school to turn off power and have all these kids and teachers miss their Christmas parties and teachers not get their Christmas gifts. How low can xcel get that their greed and profit is so important they will ruin children’s and teachers Christmas. Allot of parents give teacher monetary gifts that they will not receive because they can’t go to school because xcel cares more about their profit and nothing else