Colorado PUC opens some Xcel large-load data to noncompetitor interveners
The case-specific compromise allows access to anonymized load and queue information while restricting exact sites, coordinates and sensitive commercial terms.
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday adopted a case-specific disclosure rule in Xcel Energy’s large-load tariff case, giving qualifying noncompetitor interveners access to anonymized customer and interconnection information while restricting exact sites and sensitive commercial data.
The decision, identified as C26-0396I in proceeding 26AL-137E, allows access to information including projected ramp rates, service status and queue position. Customers will be identified with labels such as “Customer A,” and locations generally limited to the nearest relevant pre-existing transmission substation, the commission’s July 22 meeting record shows.
Commission staff and the Colorado Office of Consumer Counsel retain access to the full highly confidential material. Exact addresses, latitude and longitude, detailed interconnection locations, and pricing or contract terms that could identify a customer or site remain restricted. United Power, which acknowledged competing with Xcel, sought access to an anonymized interconnection queue but was excluded from the noncompetitor group.
The material includes customer-specific load forecasts and location information, as well as information protected by confidentiality agreements. Xcel had sought to limit unredacted access to the commission, its staff and the consumer counsel, arguing that load ramps, locations, development plans, pricing and contract terms could expose trade secrets or affect real-estate, permitting and economic-development negotiations. Other parties argued that more detailed load, location, resource and contract information was needed to test Xcel’s proposed large-load tariff and related interconnection and electric-service proposals.
The compromise governs access while the commission considers the pending tariff and interconnection issues; it does not make the confidential information public. The meeting record does not provide a complete public roster of qualifying noncompetitor interveners or excluded competitors beyond United Power, which it specifically identifies.