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Hearings to Begin on Xcel's SmartGridCity Cost Recovery By SGN Staff Aug 30, 2010 - 12:25:14 PM
. Updated: Aug. 31, 2010 . A settlement reached Friday could clear the way for Xcel Energy to recover some $44.5 million in costs incurred with its Boulder SmartGridCity project from customers. But as Smart Grid Today reports, hearings before an administrative law judge (ALJ) this week will still happen and the parties involved in the settlement (the Colorado governor's office and the trial staff of the state's PUC) will testify along with other interested parties. Smart Grid Today quoted a PUC spokesperson who indicated a final decision may take a while, as the PUC could reverse the ALJ's decision, which probably won't come this week. Xcel has contended that the costs of its pilot project in Boulder, which involved smart meter deployments, improvements in
power distribution and more, would benefit all ratepayers. The PUC had earlier approved the plan to bill customers as part of an overall rate increase, but decided to revisit the SmartGridCity agreement. Xcel's performance has generated a lot of heat and criticism because of extreme cost overruns, and others have criticized the company for not delivering everything it promised.
Quick Take: As we've said in recent coverage of the SmartGridCity project, the twists and turns, politics and regulatory actions continue to provide numerous teachable moments for the industry.
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