PUC delays decision on Xcel’s motion to dismiss Boulder municipalization case

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission at its weekly Wednesday meeting in Denver delayed making a decision on Xcel Energy’s motion to dismiss the city of Boulder’s application to create a municipal electric utility, asking both sides for narrowly focused briefs regarding whether the city’s plan violates the doctrine of regulated monopoly.

Xcel filed its motion to dismiss in August, a motion that was backed by PUC staff on grounds that the city’s application was incomplete and didn’t comply with past decisions by the PUC.

The commissioners ruled Wednesday that Xcel’s motion would be construed specifically as a motion to dismiss for violation…