PUC public comment hearing draws wide concerns over Public Service Co. wildfire plan, PSPS rules and costs

Public comment hearing: Public Utilities Commission, April 29, 2025 — The Public Utilities Commission heard broad public comment Tuesday on Public Service Company of Colorado’s (PSCo, also branded Xcel Energy in testimony) proposed 2025–27 wildfire mitigation plan, its public safety power shutoff (PSPS) procedures and a related cost‑recovery proposal, including a settlement the parties filed April 18, 2025, that would defer certain non‑transmission costs for later recovery and route transmission costs through the company’s transmission cost adjustment rider. The company projects a total budget for the application of approximately $1.9 billion.

Why it matters: The package combines safety measures (undergrounding, vegetation management, enhanced reporting and communication, and a proposed resilience rebate for backup power) with a large financing ask that regulators must balance against customer rates and equity concerns. Commissioners said they will scrutinize the settlement at an evidentiary hearing and issue a written decision after considering the record and public comment.

Megan Castle, communications director for the commission, summarized procedural status: “This proceeding was filed by Public Service Company of Colorado on 07/27/2024. It was assigned PUC proceeding number 24ADash0296E. … On April 18, public service filed the settlement agreement that all parties to the case joined and that resolved all the issues, so [it] is referred to as a unanimous and comprehensive settlement.” Castle told the hearing parties that the…