Xcel Energy’s unprecedented step to cut power during high winds gets blowback

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Xcel Energy-Colorado’s took the unprecedented step of cutting power to some parts of the Front Range over the weekend to reduce the risk of wildfires as wild winds walloped the area, but the …

Broken utility poles are seen along U.S. 36 between Lefthand Canyon Drive and Nelson Road in Boulder County after high winds were reported over the weekend, on Monday, April 8, 2024.

Power companies are increasingly using the tactic of preemptive shutdowns as the climate has heated up and dried out, extending the wildfire season to year-round. “The reason we’re doing this is to protect the public from wildfire conditions, full stop,” Kenney said. “Obviously, nobody likes getting sued and nobody wants to be sued, but this is a tool of public safety.”

Eben Forrest, who owns the Terracotta plant shop and design consulting business on Pearl Street in Boulder, estimated his business lost about $5,000 when Xcel turned off his electricity. He had events planned for the weekend and wasn’t sure how to proceed until the company confirmed the shutdown.“We received an overwhelming amount of feedback from customers that wanted greater notice than the night before.

 

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