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Utility outlines wildfire mitigation, explains why outages and restorations can take days
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Summary
Xcel Energy representative Blair told Lake County commissioners that enhanced power safety settings (EPSS) and public safety power shutoffs (PSPS) are distinct tools: EPSS keeps lines in service but requires patrols; PSPS proactively de‑energizes. Blair said restoration can take up to five days in some events and urged better outage reporting and county‑utility coordination.
Blair, an Xcel Energy representative, briefed the Lake County Board about wildfire mitigation measures, outage policy and customer communications. Blair described a three‑part approach — system hardening, vegetation management, and situational awareness — and said the utility has been conducting extensive pole replacements and technology investments. "Enhanced power safety settings is a proven wildfire mitigation tool... Public safety power shutoff is a tool of last resort," Blair said, distinguishing EPSS (lines remain in service but reclosures are disabled and crews must patrol) from PSPS (proactive de‑energization).
Blair acknowledged restoration challenges after events that combine EPSS and PSPS and cited instances where restoration required multiple days because crews must inspect lines and ensure no ignition sources remain. "Restoration's been a challenge... it is taking us up to 5 days in some instances to get power restored," Blair said. Commissioners pressed for better local notification and for clarity about when county partners and critical customers (medical device users, water treatment plants) are alerted. Blair said Xcel commits to a 48‑hour public notification timeline and 72‑hour notice for medically vulnerable customers where possible.
A recurring operational issue raised by commissioners was outage detection in distribution feeders: Blair said transmission outages are reported automatically, but feeder/distribution outages often rely on customer calls and that their smart meters in the county do not currently provide automatic outage reporting. "It is my understanding that they do not" automatically report outages, Blair said in response to a question; he added that upgrading those systems has cost and staffing implications.
Blair also discussed affordability and regulatory matters: Xcel has a rate case pending and expects upward pressure on bills (Blair cited about $10 per month as an example) and described company affordability commitments and pilots aimed at mountain communities. Commissioners asked the utility to produce county‑specific data on bill burden and to coordinate with county emergency management on communications to vulnerable residents.
Next steps: Commissioners asked Xcel to investigate smart‑meter outage reporting and improve restoration communications; the board and utility agreed to follow up on data for local outage frequency, critical account lists, and potential pilot affordability programs.
