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Votes at a glance: PUC approves segment 5, allows Black Hills SSIR changes, suspends large‑load tariff and clears Hot Springs Shuttle fare change
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Summary
At its April 29 meeting the commission: approved the Segment 5 siting application under backstop authority; allowed Black Hills Energy's SSIR advice letter to take effect by operation of law; suspended Public Service's large‑load tariff for 120 days and set it for hearing; and allowed Hot Springs Shuttle's fare changes to take effect on May 1.
A summary of formal actions taken or approved at the Public Utilities Commission meeting on April 29, 2026:
• Segment 5 (Power Pathways): The commission voted to grant Public Service Company's application to site and construct Segment 5 along the company's preferred route, finding statutory preconditions and statutory balancing factors satisfied. The commission directed Public Service to submit a compliance filing within 90 days that addresses camera coverage and coordination with affected fire districts. (See counsel presentation and votes during the El Paso County backstop proceeding.)
• Mountain Energy / multiple base‑rate area study: Advisors recommended and commissioners agreed to solicit comments on the feasibility and reasonableness of a study examining multiple base rate areas under the previously approved settlement (decision C25084); parties were asked to file comments within 30 days.
• Black Hills Energy SSIR (26AL‑0132G): Staff recommended taking no action and allowing the advice letter to go into effect by operation of law. Bridget McGee (staff) reported the filing proposes to recover a $1.7 million revenue requirement and estimated impacts to average monthly residential bills of roughly $0.11 in certain base rate areas and up to $0.49 in another area; commissioners agreed to allow the change to take effect by operation of law.
• Public Service large‑load tariff (advice letter 2018 Electric): Advisors recommended suspending the tariff pages under §40‑6‑111, C.R.S., for 120 days and setting the matter for hearing; staff and the Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate filed protests raising locational cost allocation and transparency concerns. The commission supported suspension, set an intervention deadline of June 1, 2026, and left scheduling of evidentiary events to the procedural schedule to be adopted.
• Hot Springs Shuttle tariff (260093): The presenter recommended allowing the tariff amendments (children's fare category consolidation and increases) to take effect on May 1, 2026; commissioners agreed.
• Consent agenda: The consent agenda was approved at the start of the meeting.
Each of the items above was discussed on the record during the April 29 meeting; the commission indicated written decisions and procedural schedules would be circulated as appropriate.
