This week, the Colorado Public Utility Commission finalized plans to require Xcel, Atmos and Black Hills Energy to cut the carbon emissions from their natural gas systems by 41% in 10 years.
Clean Heat Plan and local oversight
As a community-owned utility, Colorado Springs Utilities is not subject to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission’s decision on Clean Heat. However, we are required to comply with a separate state mandate to develop a Clean Heat Plan. Unlike investor-owned utilities, our plan is approved by our locally elected Utilities Board, ensuring decisions are made with our community’s priorities in mind.
Customer choice
While the State of Colorado has imposed mandates on natural gas distribution utilities, Colorado Springs Utilities supports our customers’ right to choose natural gas. As a community-owned utility, we have a legal obligation to provide natural gas service to any customer within our service territory who requests it. This commitment ensures that our customers maintain the freedom to select the energy source that best meets their needs.
Affordability
Our Clean Heat Plan is informed by state targets, but affordability remains our top priority. We observe a 2% cost cap on implementation to protect customers from significant rate impacts. This means every step we take toward cleaner energy is balanced with the need to keep utility bills manageable.
Transparency
The costs we incur to comply with the state mandate are passed on to customers through a Clean Heat Plan bill rider, a temporary charge added to their bill. We are committed to transparency and will continue to share information about these costs and how they support a cleaner, more sustainable future for our community. The charge will remain on bills while the Clean Heat Plan is in effect.
Revenue and rebates
The revenue generated from this charge is used for energy efficiency programs. Programs include rebates for energy-efficient water heaters and furnaces, insulation and heat pumps. The rebates give customers an additional incentive to switch to more efficient appliances.
