Pre-emptive shutdowns should not be the go-to solution for Xcel

First, such shutdowns show how ill-prepared Xcel to handle what is now becoming a relatively common occurrence. Xcel should be building and maintaining a supply network that can handle the environment in which it operates. While nobody wants them to start another wildfire, this sort of shutdown is foisting a great deal of pain, inconvenience, and cost onto the customers so Xcel can avoid another lawsuit.

Second, if you say that it will be down for well under 24 hours, and then it is down for much longer than 48 hours, that's a huge issue. Food spoils. Pipes freeze. I for one have to refrigerate some very expensive medication or it will go bad. If I'm without power for more than 48 hours, who will pay the thousands of dollars for its spoilage? Xcel--no. My insurance company--no.

Fundamentally, the service provider needs to provide continuous, reliable service. If this is the path of the future, it's time to find someone else to operate our power grid.