DENVER—Colorado Public Utilities Commission staff have recommended that Xcel Energy refund nearly $1.6 million in overcollected fees to subscribers of Xcel’s wind power program.
Xcel contends no refund is needed.
PUC staff say Xcel has overcollected more than $1.5 million from Windsource customers who voluntarily pay about $10 extra per month for wind-generated electricity. From 2005 to 2007, Xcel sold credits for more green power than it generated at wind farms in the program.
Xcel, the state’s largest utility, contends it should not have to refund money because it has generated more than enough wind power to meet the credits it sold. However, some of that wind power is not part of the Windsource portfolio of resources.
PUC rate and financial analyst Harry Di Domenico said that when regulators approved the launch of Windsource in 1997, Xcel agreed to keep the program separate from its other business operations.
PUC spokesman Terry Bote said a settlement is expected to be filed by mid-January. He didn’t disclose details.
Xcel produced the extra wind power to meet a Colorado law requiring regulated utilities to generate 20 percent of their power from renewable energy sources by 2020.
Xcel said Windsource has about 46,800 subscribers.
———
Information from: The Denver Post,
