Area manager describes public safety power shutoffs, investments

GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – Xcel Energy is employing new methods of protecting the Western Slope from the threat of wildfire by investing in technological improvements and keeping up with vegetation management near its power transmission lines.

Brad McCloud, area manager and community relations director for Xcel Energy, told the Board of County Commissioners that the electricity utility has approved $1.9 billion in investments through 2027 to reduce wildfire risk.

“This involves inspecting 49,000 distribution poles, and just under 10,500 full replacements of poles,” McCloud told the board. “We are replacing virtually all the transmission lines in the State of Colorado. Some of those wooden transmission poles are literally 40-plus years old, and some are 50 years old.”

He added that the new poles would be made from metal that has been oxidized to blend in better “to be more visually and aesthetically pleasing.”

Public safety power shutoffs

Xcel factors in weather, wind speed, relative humidity, fuel moisture levels, and temperatures when determining whether or not to implement a public safety power shutoff (PSPS). If an extreme weather event is forecast, Xcel sends notifications out to customers in the area up to 48 hours in advance.

“If we have a PSPS, that is an intentional degeneration of the system for safety purposes,” McCloud said. “Quite honestly, it’s the last thing we want to do, but it is an intentional shutoff of the system. We do this only under extreme circumstances … we only want to use it in cases when it’s absolutely necessary to prevent property damage or to protect against loss of life.”

The PSPS takes place over five stages plus a post-event analysis. Heightened situational awareness (stage 1) begins 72 hours prior to a weather event, followed by planning (stage 2A) and final preparations (stage 2B). De-energization (stage 3) occurs during the extreme weather event, followed by restoration efforts (stage 4) over the next 72 hours.

Commissioner Tom Jankovsky stated that the PSPS could create a life-safety issue when the power goes off.

“Most of our hospitals and larger buildings have backup generators; however, smaller operations and senior living facilities, or individuals who may have medical situations that render them homebound, they’re all tied to your grid,” he said. “This is something that must be taken into consideration. This is done to prevent wildfire, but you may end up with deaths on the other end because their equipment has turned off.”

Xcel offers advanced notifications via phone calls, emails, and TTY in the event of a PSPS or unplanned outage by opting into its medical assistance program at 1-800-895-4999.

Commissioner Mike Samson added that Garfield County residents have contacted him with concerns about the impacts that shutoffs have on their businesses, especially restaurants, and stressed that early communication is key if a PSPS were to go into effect.

“If it’s high winds, they get that, but they said they really, really, really need you to communicate better with them,” he said. “They all said, ‘please let us know if at all possible well in advance so we can plan better.’”

“That’s where we’re at. If we know we are going to have an outage, we’re definitely going to notify them,” McCloud said.

Enhanced powerline safety settings

Enhanced powerline safety settings (EPSS) are also being utilized to mitigate wildfires during periods of increased risk. When activated, the lines are more sensitive to contact from a fallen limb or wildlife. If an issue is detected, the power is cut to these lines until crews can make an inspection.

“Whether it’s a power line in contact with a tree limb or an animal contact or some other object, if we are in an enhanced powerline safety setting, those lines are triggered to be much more sensitive than they typically are,” McCloud told the board. “Once we’re able to get the crews up there to look at what’s going on, then we can re-energize once we know it’s safe.”

Technological upgrades

More than 100 weather stations have been installed to improve the accuracy of forecasts and that data is now available to the public. Updates are also available on Xcel’s elevated wildfire risk event update page.

Panoramic AI cameras have also been installed throughout western Colorado on Xcel transmission poles to help identify where wildfires start and to increase threat awareness. Drones are also being used to inspect the lines before and after power outages.

“The cameras are directed to pick up on smoke, so we can be aware if there is an ignition somewhere in the vicinity of any of our assets,” McCloud said. “We have made those accessible to our office of emergency management partners and stakeholders.”

He added that Xcel is redefining its wildfire risk tiers in Colorado. Much of Garfield County lies within tiers 2 and 3, with the former defined as “areas where wildfire may cause significant damage to human infrastructure due to continuity and terrain,” and the latter as “areas where wildfire will likely rapidly become large, destructive or catastrophic events due to fuel continuity and population density.”

Battery rebate program

Xcel customers can apply for a rebate program for up to $10,000 toward battery energy storage systems (BESS) that power home medical equipment. Eligible participants must be Xcel Energy residential customers who reside in tiers 2 or 3 and are enrolled in Colorado Medical Assistance Programs, such as the medical certification program or the Colorado Medical Exemption Program.

“We don’t have to go to extremes to explain what wildfire damage looks like in Garfield County,” McCloud said. “We know that it’s real and want to make sure that we are doing our part to keep the community as safe as possible.”