Xcel Energy launched a two-tiered rate plan in June, 2010, where those customers who go above 500 kilowatt hours per month during the summer will pay more per kilowatt hour. The new Xcel rates approved by the PUC do not offer any special consideration for the disabled groups or those on having other medical requirements.
An effort to acquire a medical exemption for the special groups has begun by the MS Society. The Colorado state constitution contains a statute specifying that the PUC has no authority to set energy rates according to social policy, regardless of how deserving the population may be. We are currently working on a legislation that would grant regulatory authority to the PUC to allow Xcel Energy to give a medical exemption.
The next steps in the process are to find a bill sponsor, draft the bill, request a bill title and file the bill. A timeline has been set to meet all of our goals.
Xcel Energy has been working closely with the National MS Society, Colorado-Wyoming Chapter and other advocacy organizations. MS Activist Kirk Williams is playing an important role in driving this issue. We firmly believe that all of our advocacy successes happen when people with MS speak out on issues important to them. Our constituents have an important role to play here.