Record cold forces rolling blackouts in Denver

Xcel Energy is experiencing reduced natural gas supply into Colorado. This situation is affecting natural gas supplies along the Front Range. It is also affecting the generation of electricity. Xcel Energy is asking customers along the Front Range to reduce their usage of natural gas and electricity until the situation can be rectified.

The company is currently working to increase the amount of natural gas flowing into the state. Until the issue can be resolved, the company will curtail electric service to groups of customers in the Denver metro area on a 30-minute rotating basis. It is anticipated that this will last for the duration of the day.

Here is some general information for the news media:

— The planned curtailments throughout the Denver metro area.
Areas will be affected for 30 minutes at a time and then
restored with power.

— Estimated customers that will be without power at any given
time is 100,000.

— Xcel Energy is encouraging all customers in the affected area
to reduce electricity usage as much as possible throughout the
day, keeping in mind not to place themselves in any
potentially hazardous situations by limiting use of
electricity or natural gas for life-sustaining equipment.

— Xcel Energy also is encouraging all customers who have elderly
relatives or friends in the affected areas to make
arrangements and to check on these people periodically
throughout the day.

Business Wire