DENVER - Xcel Energy today filed with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) asking for approval of limitations on the company's long-term energy efficiency programs and renewable energy contracts with Boulder Customers going forward.

Xcel Energy has made proposals to the city asking Boulder to provide assurances that would protect Xcel Energy's non-Boulder customers from subsidizing a new Boulder municipal utility. To date, the city has not been willing to enter any such agreement however the company remains interested in developing a solution with the city.

"While the company is very reluctant to limit these valuable programs, we do not believe it is appropriate for our customers outside of Boulder to subsidize any newly formed Boulder municipal utility," says Jerome Davis, regional vice president for Xcel Energy. "While costs are paid for by Xcel Energy customers, the benefits would go to the new municipal utility, once it is formed."

The company's filing will only affect new Solar*Rewards contracts going forward and future energy efficiency incentives and rebates, to the degree that Boulder customer participation would otherwise exceed Boulder customer payments for these incentives. Past contracts and efficiency rebates would need to be addressed in the condemnation proceedings.

These programs are paid for by all Xcel Energy customers through the Renewable Energy Standard Adjustment (RESA) and the Demand Side Management Cost Adjustment (DSMCA) on their bills. Boulder customers have historically participated in these programs at higher rates than others throughout Colorado.

The company filed a similar request in early 2012 but the CPUC determined at that time, based on the limited steps that the city had taken toward municipalization, that it was premature to decide the issue. Earlier this month the city gave the company a "Notice of Intent to Acquire" the company's electric business.

"Given the city's recent actions taking this formal step toward taking over our business in Boulder, it is now appropriate to re¬address this issue," says Davis.

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