Xcel

As part of a plan to reduce carbon emissions across its Upper Midwest footprint through the use of more renewables, nuclear energy and natural gas, Xcel Energy said it will retire its last two coal-burning plants in the region a decade earlier than previously scheduled.

While still relatively new to the energy sector’s toolbox, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), aka drones, are playing an increasingly important role in inspections for Minnesota-based Xcel Energy’s Colorado operations.

Unveiled earlier this year as a $2.5 billion proposal to reduce carbon emissions in Colorado, Xcel Energy’s Denver-based utility on Monday was given a green light by state regulators to reduce coal-fired generation and increase natural gas and renewable resources.

Adding a dash of new natural gas-fired generation to a mixing bowl filled mostly with renewable resources, Denver-based Xcel Energy Inc. on Wednesday submitted its energy plan to Colorado regulators, proposing 11 generation sources and a $2.5 billion outlay to cut carbon emissions by 60% in 2026.

With support from 14 stakeholders, Xcel Energy’s Colorado combination utility, the state’s largest natural gas provider, on Tuesday unveiled a $2.5 billion plan for the next decade, calling for 1,700 MW of wind and solar, backed up by 700 MW of additional gas-fired generation. Early retirement of coal plants is also included.

Retail natural gas utility bills in Colorado are headed up, according to Xcel Energy’s Denver-based combination utility, which sees a 12-16% rise in monthly bills coming in 2Q2017 compared to the same quarter last year. Xcel made a quarterly gas cost adjustment filing to state regulators on Wednesday calling for residential gas rates to increase to 33.6 cents/therm next quarter, compared to 24.1 cents/therm for the second quarter last year, a 12% increase to average bills of a little more than $30 monthly. For small businesses, the rate increases to 33.3 cents/therm from 23.8 cents/th in 2Q2016, an increase of 16% to average bills of $125 each month. Xcel asked the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to approve the rates to be effective April 1.

Retail natural gas rates in Colorado are headed up by 13-14% in the first quarter, according to Xcel Energy Inc.’s Denver-based combination utility, Public Service Company of Colorado.

Retail natural gas utility charges in Colorado would decline 9-10% beginning April 1 under a proposal by

Xcel Energy Inc.’s Colorado combination utility on Tuesday filed with state regulators for approval to pursue a natural gas reserve program as one of a half-dozen initiatives under its “Our Energy Future” plan.