Xcel's propsosal to gut alternative energy before the PUC

This Xcel docket item 09AL-299E will be voted on by Xcel on August 5th

Xcel Energy has a proposal before the Colorado PUC which if adopted will hurt the progress that Colorado has made in sustainable energy. I urge you to submit your protest against this proposal via the PUC's web site.

People who install solar electric systems have net metering where the meter runs backwards when you generate more electricity than you use. The utility will pay you for this extra electricity at their wholesale rate. If you use this more electricity than you generate, you pay the normal rates on the electricity you use including all of the normal additional  fees for power line and plant construction.

Excel's new proposal, would change this. A solar system owner would be charged a  monthly fee equivalent to the highest monthly electricity usage in the past year. From The Denver Post: 

"..for example, that a home that used 879 kilowatt-hours for one month and used no electricity for the other 11 months would have a minimum monthly rate of $22.87, equal to an annual charge of $274."

Now here is another critical point to consider. Most solar electric systems are not designed to provide for all electricity needs. Many people install systems that only cover 25% of their electric bill. Maybe they design their solar system to cover their basic residential usage, but not for their irrigation pump that they use for 4 months out of the year. Xcel will now charge them as if they used their pump all year long.  

• This proposal an unfair
• This proposal hurts Colorado's efforts to grow the new energy economy
• This proposal is counter to the spirit of Colorado's 2004 Amendment 37 which mandated renewable energy.

Please take the time to comment

Here's the PUC's web site. Let them know that you are against docket item 09AL-299E.

Public Utilities Commission
1560 Broadway, Suite 250
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 894-2000 - General Issues Phone
(800) 888-0170 - General Issues (Toll Free within Colorado)
(303) 894-2070 - Consumer Affairs Phone
(800) 456-0858 - Consumer Affairs (Toll Free within Colorado)
(303) 894-2532 - Consumer Affairs Fax