in June, the Commission took final action on Xcel Energy’s 2025-2027 Colorado Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WMP). The Commission approved a settlement agreement which all parties to the case joined, and that resolved all of the issues. This is known as a unanimous and comprehensive settlement. 

A diverse mix of parties intervened in this case including, the City of Boulder, Office of Utility Consumer Advocate, the City and County of Denver, Western Resource Advocates, Trial Staff of the PUC, the Colorado Energy Consumers and more. 

Xcel Energy’s plan mitigation activities and investments include: 

Wildfire Mitigation Plan includes:

• Undergrounding of about 50 miles of power lines
• Battery energy storage system rebates for critical facilities and customers in wildfire risk zones
• Rebuild major transmission lines
• Enhanced reporting and providing access to wildfire detection cameras to appropriate public safety partners 
• Commitments on community outreach and engagement involving vegetation management
• A transmission and distribution pole location database
• Commitments by the Company regarding risk assessment and risk mapping, and related stakeholder processes 

Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Plan includes: 

• Commitments regarding outreach and engagement
• Integration of an incident command structure and filing of a “PSPS Playbook”
• Identification of critical customers and facilities to enable prioritization of these customers and provide enhanced communication, engagement and restoration work

The Company’s total projected budget for this application will be approximately $1.9 billion. Transmission-related wildfire mitigation costs will be recovered via the Company’s Transmission Cost Adjustment rider. Non-transmission costs will be deferred for future recovery via a Wildfire Mitigation Adjustment rider which will appear as a separate line item on bills, helping customers to better understand what they are paying for. Public Service also commits to file a financing order to securitize retail capital costs at the end of the plan period 2025-27, a step that will reduce ratepayer costs. The monthly bill impact will vary over time, reaching approximately $9 per month towards the end of the plan period, and then lowering after securitization.

A final written Decision is expected by the end of August 2025