Public Utilities Commission Approves Alternative Forms of Notice for Electric Rate Case

Strategic Insights -

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission has granted Public Service Company of Colorado's request for alternative forms of notice in its 2022 Electric Rate Case. The proposed notice includes publishing a legal notice in The Denver Post, posting the filing on the company's website, mailing a customer bill insert, and sending an email to customers who have opted-in for email notifications. The Commission found that the proposed notice would provide sufficient and efficient notice to customers, and therefore approved the alternative forms of notice.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Public Utilities Commission approved Public Service Company of Colorado's request for alternative forms of notice in its 2022 Electric Rate Case.
  • The proposed notice includes publishing a legal notice in The Denver Post, posting the filing on the company's website, mailing a customer bill insert, and sending an email to customers who have opted-in for email notifications.
  • The Commission found that the proposed notice would provide sufficient and efficient notice to customers.
  • Public Service Company of Colorado expects to have the effective date of the tariffs set to September 7, 2023, after suspension by the Commission.
  • The company seeks authority to provide alternative forms of notice to its retail electric customers, which would allow for a means of acquiring notice for the vast majority of customers within 20 days of the filing and actual notice to customers in advance of the intervention deadline.
  • Public Service Company of Colorado requests Commission approval to use the proposed forms of notice to its customers, including publishing a legal notice, posting a copy of the filing on the company's website, mailing a customer bill insert, providing an email to customers who have opted-in for email notifications, and providing email notification with a link to the bill insert to Online View and Pay customers.
  • The Commission finds that good cause exists for the approval of the proposed alternative forms of notice, and that it will avoid incurring the expenses associated with providing statutory notice.
  • Public Service Company of Colorado intends to make tariff changes, including new base rates for all electric rate schedules, and increase base rate revenues, to be effective on December 31, 2022, but will be suspended by the Commission, resulting in an effective date of September 7, 2023.

Statistics:

  • The effective date of the tariffs is expected to be September 7, 2023.
  • The Commission will suspend the effective date of the tariffs, resulting in the December 31, 2022 date no longer being effective.
  • Public Service Company of Colorado expects to provide notice of the tariff changes to its customers within 20 days of the filing.
  • The proposed forms of notice are intended to provide a means for the vast majority of customers to obtain notice of the filing within 20 days.
  • The Commission has approved the alternative forms of notice for the 2022 Electric Rate Case.

Sources:

  • Colorado Public Utilities Commission, Decision No. C22-0793-I, December 12, 2022.
  • Colorado Public Utilities Commission, Rule 1207(b), 4 Code of Colorado Regulations (CCR) 723-1.
  • SS 40-3-104(1)(a), C.R.S.
  • SS 40-6-111(1), C.R.S.
  • SS 40-3-104(1)(c)(I)(E), C.R.S.