Public hearing examines Colorado's wildfire mitigation and power safety shutoff plans

The public comment hearing for the Public Service Company of Colorado's wildfire mitigation plan took place on March 13, 2025, following earlier meetings on February 6 and February 20. The purpose of the hearing was to discuss the company's strategies aimed at reducing the risk of utility-caused wildfires and enhancing response measures.

The company's wildfire mitigation plan is structured into four main categories. The first category, situational awareness, focuses on utilizing meteorological and software tools to improve the identification and assessment of wildfire risks. The second category, system resiliency, involves infrastructure investments such as upgrading transmission systems, undergrounding power lines, conducting regular inspections, and managing vegetation to minimize fire hazards.

Operational mitigation, the third category, includes adjustments to the electrical system's operation, such as implementing public safety power shutoffs and activating protective settings on power lines during high-risk periods. The final category, customer support, aims to inform customers about wildfire risks and provide assistance to those with unique energy needs affected by power shutoffs or wildfire events.

The company also presented its public safety power shutoff plan, detailing strategies for managing power shutoffs, similar to those enacted during the April 2024 wind event. The projected budget for these initiatives is approximately $1.9 billion, which the company plans to recover through a wildfire mitigation adjustment rider, potentially increasing residential customer bills by about $9 per month.

The hearing is set for further deliberation in early May, with a decision expected from the commissioners in August. The commissioners emphasized the importance of public input on these critical issues, acknowledging the significant impact of wildfires and power shutoffs on communities and businesses. The meeting was conducted formally, with a focus on listening to public comments without engaging in dialogue, ensuring that all perspectives are recorded for consideration in the ongoing proceedings.