Xcel’s 2015 Peak Demand

February 21st, 2016

arrowdown

Remember Xcel’s CapX 2020 peak demand projections of 2.49% annual increase?  How wrong can they be?  And how unjustified was their basis for a Certificate of Need for CapX 2020?  And how are they held accountable for those gross misrepresentations?  This is why the rate case in progress, PUC Docket 15-826, is so important.

I love it when this happens… Xcel Peak Demand is again DOWN!  There’s a trend, and it’s called decreased demand.  Demand has yet to exceed the 2007 peak, and now it’s 8 years…

XcelPeakDemand2000-2015

Here’s the Xcel Energy SEC 10-K filed a couple days ago:

2015 – Xcel Energy 10-K

Is it any wonder they want to get away from a cost based rate a la their “e21 Initiative” scheme?  Particularly now that the bill for CapX 2020 is coming due and their newest rate case (PUC Docket GR-15-826) is now underway?

And the specifics, and note how they inexplicably forecast a 2016 peak of 9,327:

2015-Xcel Peak Demand Chart

 

Posted by Carol A. Overland
Filed in Disasters, Energy, Political Sense (non?), Rate Case - Transmission, Transmission
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Xcel Energy slides into the ditch

January 26th, 2016

OOPS_XcelInDitch

SNORT — love it when this happens.  Xcel Energy truck slid into the ditch, and note that the trailer didn’t take out the xmsn structure!

Xcel Energy truck slides into ditch in Faribault

Thanks to Faribault Daily News for this!

Posted by Carol A. Overland
Filed in Disasters, Energy, Transmission
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Matt Schuerger on Public Utilities Commission?

January 20th, 2016

schuerger_matthew

Matt Schuerger has been appointed to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission?  What is Gov. Dayton thinking?  More on this in a future post…

From the Governor’s website:

Governor Dayton Appoints Matthew Schuerger to Minnesota Public Utilities Commission

January 19, 2016
ST. PAUL, MN – Today, Governor Mark Dayton announced his appointment of Matthew Schuerger to serve a six year term on the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. Mr. Schuerger will be replacing Betsy Wergin, whose term expired on January 4, 2016.
“It is my pleasure to appoint Matthew Schuerger to serve on the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission,” said Governor Dayton. “Mr. Schuerger brings with him an impressive record of private-sector experience running a company focused on sustainable energy systems, and has admirably served as a technical advisor to both the State of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota.”
Mr. Schuerger is the President of Energy Systems Consulting Services, LLC, an engineering and management consulting firm focused on planning, development, and analysis. His recent work includes serving as a technical advisor to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the University of Minnesota. Previously, Mr. Schuerger was the Executive Vice President for District Energy St. Paul, Inc.
Mr. Schuerger is a licensed electrical and mechanical engineer, and earned his B.S. from Purdue University, his M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas, and his M.S. from the University of Minnesota.
A headshot of Mr. Schuerger can be found here: http://mn.gov/governor/images/schuerger_matthew.jpg
About the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission regulates three cornerstone service industries of Minnesota’s economy, including electricity, natural gas, and telephone services. Its mission is to create and maintain a regulatory environment that ensures safe, reliable, and efficient utility services at fair and reasonable rates. For more information about the Public Utilities Commission, visit http://mn.gov/puc/.
Posted by Carol A. Overland
Filed in Disasters, Energy
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Made my day, CyberSquirrel1.com!

January 16th, 2016

squirrel-terrorist

It’s here — the report I’ve been waiting for (well, it’s been around for a while, but it just popped up on the screen)!!!

SQUIRREL ATTACKS ON THE ELECTRIC GRID

From the CyberSquirrel1 site:

“I don’t think paralysis [of the electrical grid] is more likely by cyberattack than by natural disaster. And frankly the number-one threat experienced to date by the US electrical grid is squirrels.”

    – John C. Inglis, Former Deputy Director, National Security Agency 2015.07.09

Ain’t technology grand??

tnt_squirrel

Posted by Carol A. Overland
Filed in Disasters, Energy
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Rate Case – Response filed to Xcel’s Objection to Intervention

January 6th, 2016

shame_shaking_finger

Shame, Xcel Energy.  Your basis for objecting to the Petition for Intervention of No CapX 2020 and Carol A. Overland is just not holding up when looking at other interventions, and noting that in your Xcel-existence, in all your rate cases, you’ve only objected to one potential intervenor.  So take that, Xcel:

No CapX 2020_Response 2 Xcel’s Objection

Here’s Xcel’s Objection:

20161-116957-02_Xcel’s Objection to Intervention

And here’s the original Petition for Intervention:

NoCapX 2020 and Carol A. Overland_Intervention Petition Packet

 

Posted by Carol A. Overland
Filed in Energy, Legislative & Policy, Political Sense (non?), Rate Case - Transmission
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