By Scott Weiser | The Denver Gazette
Colorado had no requests last quarter
Electric and gas utilities sought a record $9.2 billion in rate increases nationwide during the second quarter, according to a new analysis by the consumer advocacy organization PowerLines, as utilities continue seeking billions for grid upgrades, reliability improvements and growing electricity demand.
The filings would affect more than 56 million customers and push this year’s total requested rate increases to $18.6 billion, the consumer advocacy group said.
Colorado was largely absent from the report’s tally of second-quarter rate requests because Xcel Energy’s major electric rate case was already pending before the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.
The utility originally sought $356 million in additional annual revenue, but a June settlement reduced the request to about $225 million. If approved, the settlement would increase residential electric bills by an estimated 5.86%, or about $6.13 per month.
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