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Public Utilities Commission of Colorado Issues Decision on Gas System Forecasting and Cost Benefit Analysis

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission has issued a decision regarding Public Service Company of Colorado's Gas Infrastructure Plan, addressing concerns related to gas system forecasting, mapping, and cost benefit analysis. The commission has granted, in part, and denied, in part, the company's exceptions to the Recommended Decision, which detailed changes to the company's forecasting methodologies and proposals for its 2025 Gas Infrastructure Plan. The decision outlines the commission's expectations for the company's future GIP filings, including the use of a gas modeling independent evaluator and the need for enhanced coordination with local municipalities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The commission granted the company's exceptions regarding the prospect of retaining a gas modeling IE, but found the issue premature and directed it to be addressed in the 2025 GIP proceeding.
  • The commission denied the company's exceptions regarding its proposal to initiate a forecasting pilot with a local municipality as part of this proceeding, but encouraged the company to elaborate on how it would integrate the outcomes of such a pilot to the broader gas distribution system in a future filing.
  • The commission granted the company's exceptions regarding its offer to conduct a confidential technical conference detailing the modeling of capacity expansion projects as a part of the 2025 GIP proceeding.
  • The commission expects the company to file forecasts as part of its GIP filings that are consistent with Commission Rules and previous Commission Orders.
  • The commission will consider evaluating a broad municipal interaction rather than a pilot program involving a single municipality in the 2025 GIP proceeding.
  • Public Service Company of Colorado must file the 2025 GIP filing by May 1, 2025, as required by Rule 4552 of the Commission's Rules Regulating Gas Utilities.

Statistics:

  • The commission noted that the company's proposal for its 2025 GIP filing does not appear fully compliant with Commission Rules.
  • The company's exceptions detail changes made to the peak hour gas delivery forecasting process since its initial GIP filing in 2023, including updating forecast assumptions and implementing the base, high, and low forecasts for market electrification and beneficial electrification.
  • The commission recommends using a gas modeling IE as a part of the Commission's evaluation of the company's 2025 GIP filing.
  • The commission granted the company's exceptions regarding the prospect of retaining a gas modeling IE, but directed it to be addressed in the 2025 GIP proceeding.
  • The commission denied the company's exceptions regarding its proposal to initiate a forecasting pilot with a local municipality as part of this proceeding.

Sources:

  • Decision No. C25-0257, Public Utilities Commission of the State of Colorado.
  • Decision No. R25-0083, Public Utilities Commission of the State of Colorado.
  • Rule 1505(a) of the Rules of Practice and Procedure, 4 Code of Colorado Regulations ("CCR") 723-1.
  • Rule 4552 of the Commission's Rules Regulating Gas Utilities, 4 CCR 723-1.
  • Decision No. C24-0376, Public Utilities Commission of the State of Colorado.
  • Decision No. C24-0092, Public Utilities Commission of the State of Colorado.

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