$1.9B Unanimously Approved for Xcel Wildfire Mitigation Plan in Colorado
- InnovationForce Marketing
- Jun 5
- 1 min read
June 6: Xcel Energy's 2025-2027 Wildfire Mitigation Plan, approved by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, outlines a $1.9 billion investment to reduce wildfire risks associated with its power grid. The plan includes infrastructure upgrades, vegetation management, enhanced safety settings, and improved communication strategies, including Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) during high-risk conditions.
Key components of the plan:
Infrastructure Improvements:
This includes rebuilding transmission lines, placing 50 miles of power lines underground, and upgrading equipment to strengthen the system.
Vegetation Management:
Expanding efforts in high-risk areas to clear vegetation near power lines.
Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings:
Using technology to detect and respond to faults on power lines, potentially leading to more frequent or longer outages during high-risk conditions.
Situational Awareness:
Deploying advanced fire modeling and analysis tools, weather stations, and AI-powered cameras for early smoke detection.
Community Engagement:
Improving communication and notification practices for customers during PSPS events.
Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS):
Proactively shutting off power during extreme weather events to prevent wildfires, with improved protocols for communication and restoration.