Xcel Energy is preparing for a period of extreme weather and an increased risk of wildfires this week, with forecasts predicting very high winds and dry conditions along Colorado’s Front Range on Wednesday, December 17. The company has announced plans for a likely Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) beginning at noon that day, which could affect customers in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld counties. Weather conditions are expected to improve by around 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
If the PSPS is implemented or other outages occur due to the weather event, Xcel Energy says power restoration will begin after high winds and elevated fire risks have ended. Restoration could take several hours or even days because crews must inspect entire power lines before service can be safely restored.
Robert Kenney, president of Xcel Energy—Colorado, said: “The predicted extreme weather has the potential to cause extensive damage to our electric infrastructure, resulting in extended power outages. We are monitoring the situation closely, including the potential for significantly elevated wildfire risk. If needed, we are prepared to perform a targeted Public Safety Power Shut Off as a last resort to protect our customers and communities. As always, our crews will work as quickly and safely as they can to restore power in the event of a PSPS or other weather-related outages.”
The company will continue communicating with potentially affected customers as the forecasted event approaches and throughout its duration. Customers can check online if their address may be subject to a PSPS event.
To help customers prepare for possible outages during severe weather events like this one, Xcel Energy recommends keeping phones charged and assembling an emergency kit with essentials such as battery-powered radios, flashlights and batteries, backup phone chargers and bottled water. Those who rely on medical equipment that requires electricity are urged to make additional preparations in case of extended outages.
Customers can report outages through several methods: via the Xcel Energy mobile app available from both Apple App Store and Google Play; online at xcelenergy.com/out; by texting OUT or STAT to 98936; or by calling 1-800-895-1999.
Xcel Energy states it continues investing in its systems to reduce wildfire risk and limit disruptions’ size and duration.
The company serves millions of customers across eight states including Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas.
