Colorado PUC opens probe into Xcel Energy following preemptive power outages [Video]

DENVER — The Colorado Public Utility Commission formally opened an investigation into Xcel Energy Wednesday following Gov. Jared Polis’ direction to probe the company’s decision to implement a precautionary outage ahead of a windstorm this past weekend.

The three-member commission voted unanimously Wednesday to open the investigation, which will document actions taken by Xcel during the storm, including customer notification and power restoration as well as to hear customers’ concerns, the PUC said in a news release.

Xcel on Saturday cut off power to 55,000 customers as winds exceeding 100 mph began to bear down in the Denver area and the foothills. Some customers were without power for days as crews worked to assess and address any damage.

In addition to the prescribed outages, more than 100,000 Xcel customers lost power due to downed trees and power lines. The company announced Tuesday evening that power had been restored to every customer.

The utility company said the preemptive outage was due to public safety concerns intended to reduce …