Colorado’s electric utility Xcel Energy has shifted 310,000 residents to a new “time-of-use” pricing system that pushes them to change their lifestyles — incentivizing electricity use at night instead of during peak daytime hours.
This is required for a collective shift off fossil fuel-generated electricity from coal-fired power plants — which worsens climate warming that leads to severe weather, fires and flooding — in favor of renewable wind and solar energy. Xcel relies increasingly on wind power that reaches transmission grids at night.Run dishwashers at nightBake major meals in ovens during the weekend, then during the week reheat food or make quick mealsBy 2025, all 1.
“We have got to think about how we can partner with our customers,” she said. And so far “we have not seen a significant type of resistance.”Xcel will charge residents 17 to 28 cents per kilowatt hour of electricity during the peak period on weekdays between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., according to company rate tables.A middle category for using electricity between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. costs 14 cents to 19 cents per kilowatt-hour.
Consumer advocates in the past have raised concerns about economic impacts on low-income households where residents may have less ability to shift when they use electricity.Xcel officials say they’re trying to prevent overloads as they modernize their energy system toward a goal of carbon-free electricity in Colorado by 2050. They’ve committed to an 80% reduction in carbon emissions before 2030.