WTH Xcel??

[Doc45]

I received a robo call from Xcel late this afternoon saying that due to upcoming work in my area electrical power will be shutoff for approximately 8 hours on Thursday. Great, it's supposed to be damn cold on Thursday. What about old/infirm/other people that can't leave their homes??

Umm most refrigerators (let alone freezers) are rated to maintain temps for 4 hours without power. Ok, I'll be out of the house all day, what the hell am I supposed to do with my unopened insulin?? What about the perishables?? I will try to reach a human on Wednesday to see what if any advice the company has.

[Fentonite]

I have a couple generators you can use.

[StagLefty]

They've been replacing meters in my neighborhood recently but they never had to shut off power.

[eddiememphis]

Why don't you switch to a different provider? Shop around and see who has the best prices and least interrupted supply.

Oh yeah.

Thanks to the PUC, Xcel has a monopoly in this area.

Choice and competition are incentives for a business to perform better. Eliminate that and you get a bloated lethargic company that feels no recourse when it performs poorly.

They switched out my old meter for a "smart" meter this summer then implemented a tier rate plan so the highest rates are between 1 and 7 pm. You know, right when you are cooking and have lights on and the heat running.

I would love to have options. This place is 100% electric. I would shop for the best rates on electricity. Those needing gas as well could find a company that had the best combined rates.

Xcel has a monopoly so it can offer poor service at high prices.

[fitterjohn]

Just be glad you don’t live in Fort Collins. I’ve been on those peak hour rates for a few years now. They just keep expanding the hours for the rates. But of course I only have the option of city of Fort Collins power. Definitely is making solar a better and better option

[TRnCO]

Listening to the Mandy Connell show yesterday and she was talking about all the new "fees" that will be showing up on your Exel bills starting next year. Gotta pay for all that "clean" energy crap some how.

[Doc45]

Yup, Xcel or nothing lol. My bill has doubled from what it was, and I’m on the budget system where every month is the same except for the “settlement” month, usually in October.

I have a friend that coincidentally is working from home tomorrow so she’ll watch the dog and I can put my food in her fridge/freezer.

I’m concerned with those who can’t leave their homes and will be dealing with Thursday’s temps.

Fentonite, thanks for your kind offering. I’ll be good.

[hollohas]

I opted out of the tiered rates. Higher base rate but still less than the time of use rate.

They are closing all the coal plants in the state and have ZERO way to replace that generation yet (especially peak demand) so they either have to reduce demand (high cost) and/or generate cash flow to somehow pay for new generation and storage.

How bout they don't close the coal plants? Nope, silly answer. Not only won't they consider leaving them open, they are closing them up to 10 years earlier than planned.

[BPTactical]

Listening to the Mandy Connell show yesterday and she was talking about all the new "fees" that will be showing up on your Exel bills starting next year. Gotta pay for all that "clean" energy crap some how.

No, the PUC of Colorado just denied Excel of their mega rate hike. They are just going to get it the same way the state gets it. Fee Fee Fee

We are on United for sparky stuff and Excel for firey stuff. I was really happy I finally got a gas range and fireplace.

[flogger]

I heard about a new program where you can calculate your own carbon footprint! I'm guessing it is an online form you fill out giving your demographics, income, commute time to work, home size, number of cars, number of children, number of pets and so on.

Sounds like a great idea! You can keep the file right next to your families Covid vaccination records.