Insights from our Editorial Team

The Obama Administration is reaching out to the electric utility industry for up-to-date knowledge and insights on building smarter grids. The U.S. Department of Energy issued a "request for information" last week and the deadline to comment is Nov. 1. At this juncture, the effort should produce a sense of what's on the industry's mind and illuminate possible solutions to the challenges ahead.

Should Xcel Energy be allowed to bill ratepayers for massive cost overruns at its SmartGridCity project in Boulder, Colorado? Parties to that decision, now before an administrative law judge who will advise the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, have filed their "statements of position" in the matter. One issue that seemed to emerge: who should pay for utility research and development, ratepayers or shareholders?

Parties to the Colorado Public Utility Commission rate case on Xcel Energy's SmartGridCity in Boulder, Colorado, filed summaries of their positions yesterday and Friday, setting the stage for a decision by the commission. At issue is Xcel's possible recovery of $45 million in cost overruns from 1.4 million Colorado ratepayers. Today, we summarize the position of the Office of Consumer Counsel, which said that Xcel and its shareholders ought to bear the bulk of the costs.  

While the power industry and its pundits discuss how to communicate the value of smart meters to consumers, consumers have their own thoughts about what's taking place. One faithful Intelligent Utility reader, having read a recent discussion on messaging, proceeded to shred the industry over the balance of benefits that, our reader argued, heavily favors utilities and their bottom line. Agree or not, this reader and consumer brings fresh air to ongoing smart grid discussions. We invite your reaction.