The Colorado Public Utilities Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Sept. 23 to establish new standards for Wildfire Mitigation Plans and Public Safety Power Shutoffs for Xcel Energy and Black Hills Energy.
The proposed rules seek to require utilities to assess wildfire risks from their equipment and power lines, explain how they will reduce those risks in a cost-effective manner, and report on progress and spending. Measures include inspecting and replacing equipment, trimming trees near power lines and moving lines underground.
For Public Safety Power Shutoffs, the rules would require utilities to use power outages only as a last resort when there is immediate and severe wildfire risk, not as a primary safety strategy. Utilities would need to submit a shutoff plan every three years, incorporate lessons from past shutoffs and communicate clearly with the public when shutting off power.
The public comment period runs through Nov. 2, with an initial virtual hearing scheduled for Nov. 2. Comments can be submitted via email to dora_puc_comments@state.co.us or by mail to the PUC at 1560 Broadway, Suite 250, Denver, CO 80202. The proceeding number is 26R-0355E.