Public Utilities Commission Grants Temporary Waivers to Public Service Company for Electric Tariff Provisions

Strategic Insights -

Public Service Company of Colorado (Public Service) had planned to update its My Account website and mobile applications, making them unavailable for customers to pay their bills during the period of March 5, 2022, through March 10, 2022. The update aimed to enhance the website's design, increase speed, and integrate it with other Xcel Energy programs. Public Service requested waivers from late payment provisions in its Electric Tariff to prevent assessments of late fees during this period. The Public Utilities Commission of the State of Colorado granted the waivers, finding good cause to temporarily waive the specified tariff provisions and allowing flexibility through March 31, 2022.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Public Utilities Commission granted Public Service Company's request for temporary waivers from its Electric Tariff's late payment charge provisions due to the unavailability of payment channels during the update of the My Account website and mobile applications.
  • The waivers are granted from March 5, 2022, through March 10, 2022, with flexibility through March 31, 2022, upon filing of a notice stating the need to extend or change the waiver dates.
  • The Commission found good cause to waiver the notice and intervention period, allowing an expedited decision by Public Service's requested date of March 3, 2022.
  • The waiver is for the beneficial purpose of implementing system improvements that will make the ability to pay more accessible to a wider variety of customers.
  • Public Service will update its My Account website and mobile applications, including enhancements, design improvements, and integration with other Xcel Energy programs.
  • The update is expected to make the website more accessible to customers, including those with disabilities.
  • The Commission agreed that it would be contrary to the public interest to assess late fees during the period when the website and mobile applications are unavailable for customer payments.

Statistics:

  • The waivers are granted for a period of 6 days, from March 5, 2022, through March 10, 2022, with flexibility through March 31, 2022.
  • Public Service's update is expected to make its My Account website and mobile applications available to a wider variety of customers.
  • The update will include enhancements, design improvements, and integration with other Xcel Energy programs.
  • The Commission agreed to waive the notice and intervention period, allowing an expedited decision by Public Service's requested date of March 3, 2022.

Sources:

  • Decision No. C22-0120 of the Public Utilities Commission of the State of Colorado.
  • Colorado Rules of Practice and Procedure, 4 Code of Colorado Regulations 723-1.
  • Public Service Company of Colorado's Petition for Waivers from its Electric Tariff.