Colorado PUC sets hearing schedule in Xcel large-load tariff case
Commissioners approved an unopposed procedural calendar in Public Service Co. of Colorado’s large new-load tariff case and asked parties to address both revenues and costs for a hypothetical 300-megawatt customer when comparing rates across utilities.
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission on June 24 approved an unopposed procedural schedule in Public Service Company of Colorado’s large new-load tariff case, setting testimony deadlines through early October and a four-day evidentiary hearing in late October, according to the commission’s weekly meeting record.
The schedule sets answer testimony for Aug. 19, rebuttal and cross-answer testimony for Sept. 23, and a settlement-agreement deadline of Oct. 5. The commission scheduled an on-the-record evidentiary hearing for Oct. 21-22 and Oct. 26-27.
Commissioners did not make a substantive tariff ruling at the June 24 meeting. They granted the motion without modification, waived remaining response time and adopted standard Zoom and electronic-exhibit procedures, according to staff’s recommendation.
The main discussion focused on what evidence commissioners want in the record. Commissioner Megan Gilman Plant asked parties to compare the revenues a hypothetical 300-megawatt customer operating at a 100% load factor would generate under different utility tariffs, including fixed, energy and demand-charge components.
Commissioner Tom Plant Gohman said revenue comparisons alone would be incomplete because utilities may face different marginal costs to serve very large new customers. Commissioners framed the discussion as guidance rather than a new order.
The June 24 action followed an earlier June 10 commission decision granting interventions, narrowing a confidentiality dispute and directing parties to propose a procedural schedule, with a hearing to conclude no later than Oct. 28.