Dive Summary:
- An administrative-law judge's recommendation is expected in the coming weeks on whether or not Xcel Energy can collect $16.6 million in reimbursement from ratepayers due to expenses incurred from the company's SmartGridCity project in Boulder, Colo.
- The project was planned to better manage power flows and integrate renewables, and Xcel maintains that it has been beneficial, but critics believe it has been too expense with too few benefits.
- Problems with costs and withdrawn support from partners have contributed to the challeneges Xcel is now facing.
From the article:
"... The company's SmartGridCity would manage power flows, allow more wind and solar on the grid, and enable consumers to control electricity consumption. Xcel chose Boulder for the ambitious plan.
Five years later, few of the promises are fulfilled. Costs nearly tripled to $44.5 million, and Xcel wants its Colorado customers to foot the bill. ..."
