The Colorado Public Utilities Commission is asking for public comments on Xcel Energy’s $44.2 billion plan for the future of its system through 2055. Company officials said it will need $4.46 billion through 2030.

Xcel’s Electric Resource Plan (ERP) is entering the second phase of planning that will ultimately determine which energy resources the company will be authorized to acquire by the PUC.

In the first phase of the plan, which must be filed every four years, the company determines what it will need by way of new resources and how much it wants customers to pay for them and submits a plan to the PUC.

“The ERP is the process by which an electric utility selects energy resources — including wind, solar, storage, gas, and other resources — that it will acquire to serve its customers,” according to a release from the PUC. “Through the CEP (Clean Energy Plan mandated by the General Assembly), the utility must show that it can achieve at least an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.”

Xcel said in a release: “The Colorado Public Utilities Commission approved our Phase I Colorado Clean Energy Plan in 2022. As one of the nation’s leading clean energy plans, it will:

• Reduce carbon emissions 80% to 85% (compared to 2005 levels).

• Add unprecedented amounts of renewable energy to the grid.

• End our use of coal by 2030.

• Drive investment and economic development across the state.

• Provide a just transition for communities with retiring coal plants.”

In phase two, Xcel takes bids for proposed projects and presents a series of portfolios to the PUC to choose from. The process of adjudicating the portfolios and final plan largely mirrors phase one.

“Under the Preferred Plan, Public Service Company of Colorado (“Public Service” or the “Company”) will exit coal by the end of this decade, build an unprecedented amount of wind and solar energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 80% from 2005 levels, and maintain a reliable grid, all with an average annual rate impact of approximately 2.25%, in line with the rate of inflation,” according to the company’s ERP.

The PUC is requesting input and comments from the public either in written form or during meetings.

“Individuals who wish to review Public Service’s ERP/CEP, the 120-Day Report, and other materials that have been filed in this Proceeding can access it through the PUC’s E-Filings system, selecting to search for ‘Proceedings’ and entering 21A-0141E as the proceeding number. E-Filings is available at: https://www.dora.state.co.us/pls/efi/EFI_Search_UI.search,” according to the PUC.

Members of the public are welcome to provide written or oral public comments at any time while this proceeding is open, but are encouraged to do so before December 18, 2023, when the Commission anticipates issuing its Phase II Decision. Please include “Proceeding No. 21A-0141E” in public comments.

Public comments can be provided by:

• For those with E-Filings accounts, submitting written comments through the Commission’s Electronic Filing System (E-Filings) at: https://www.dora.state.co.us/pls/efi/EFI.homepage

• Submitting written comments using the Commission’s online form or through email at: [email protected]. These comments will be posted in E-Filings for this Proceeding.

• Mailing comments to the Commission’s offices at: Colorado Public Utilities Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 250, Denver, CO 80202.

• Calling (303) 869-3490 to leave oral comments (English and Spanish options).”