For Immediate Release
Wednesday, May 16, 2006
Contact: Michael Huttner
303-991-1900

Denver: The largest consumer protection organizations in Colorado rolled out a red carpet of over 3,800 complaints against a proposed $209 million dollar rate increase for Xcel’s top executives as they arrived for their annual shareholder meeting this morning in Denver.

"The red carpet contains thousands of personal accounts of how Xcel Energy’s top executives are hurting Colorado’s children, seniors and small businesses owners,” stated Michael Huttner, Executive Director of ProgressNowAction. 

A sample of the 3,800 complaints below shows how proposed rate increase could hurt Colorado’s children and families, scare its seniors and ruin small businesses at the same time that Xcel’s executives are reporting record profits and massive bonuses.  Xcel Energy reported a 25% increase in profits in its first quarter profits and its former CEO Wayne Brunetti received over 13 Million in 2005 and the current CEO, Richard Kelly, received 3.67 million in compensation in 2005.

“We call on all Colorado consumers to go to www.ExposeXcel.com by this Friday and file their objections to Xcel's proposed $209 million increase in electric rates." 

This Friday, May 19th is the intervention deadline with the Public Utilities Commission.
ExposeXcel.com plans to submit all the complaints received to the proposed rate increase as well as to object to Xcel’s executives attempt to add late fees, increase their rate of profitability, and change their accounting methods to hurt consumers.

“On behalf of thousands of families all over Colorado that are already struggling with rising costs of energy and fuel, we reject Xcel Energy’s proposed rate increase,” stated Lionel Washington, an organizer with the Colorado Progressive Coalition.

One volunteer with an emergency assistance center that helps families with food, clothing, rent and utilities reported that he assist with utility bills one day per month:

“This year, people began lining up at 7 am. We open at 9 am and all the money is distributed in the first hour...the largest age group among our clients is children 12 and under,” Mr. Tyler of Denver reported.

Instead of building more power plants, Xcel should strive to conserve more energy. “For every dollar Xcel spends on its energy efficiency programs in Minnesota, customers save over $5,” noted Rex Wilmouth, Director of COPIRG, the public interest advocate.

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Sample of over 3,800 complaints already received at www.ExposeXcel.com

Rate Increase Impact on Families and Children

I was paying $250 am month throughout the winter to heat my 2 bedroom home.  I took out of my grocery money and money i set aside to buy my kids' jackets and warm clothes just to pay this extreme amount.  It is such a shame that my children had to suffer so that the Xcel people coould flourish and not worry about their kids' and how they were going to keep warm.  I am still trying to pay off my winter heating bill and have done everything possible to keep my bil at a minimum. 
Rayna Aragon, Denver

URGENT!   PLease we can not afford another hike up in anything. I am a single parent and my PAY CHECK isn't getting bigger, and if you raise the heat any more we could have to move to a shelter and who wants that for themselves and two kids.  Please I'm asking with all my heart don't throw us out of our home.  Thank You Extermely concerned Mom of two! 
Sherry Martinez, Aurora

On Lack of Assistance from Xcel

I volunteer at an emergency assistance center that helps families with food, clothing, rent and utilities. We assist with utility bills one day each month. This year, people began lining up at 7 am. We open at 9 am and all the money is distributed in the first hour. The money comes from donors and grants. The largest age group among our clients is children 12 and under.
Steve Tyler, Denver

You guys keep raising the cost for electricity but yet you have all those commercials about you helping the needy with there bills (LEAP).  The rate increase is just absurd!  I am a single mother of two and don't qualify for any assistance but yet my children have to wear a sweat shirt and pants inside my own house!!  How can you all justify this?  I can't ask for a pay raise to pay this bill.  I hope you all are happy when you have to hire more staff to help keep up with all the disconnections that will be happening and all the children who will go without electricity.
Sandra Hays, Aurora

On Impact on Seniors

Please keep prices affordable for us Seniors who just can't keep paying higher prices.  Our incomes don't go up any more.  I will have to stop heating or cooling my home if this keeps going.  It is pretty scary for me.  I will be 70 in July and don't know what will happen to me if your prices keep going up.  Your executives will get raises at the price of my life.  I'm sorry if that sounds awful but it is becoming the truth. 
Thank you,
Samantha Dixion, Denver

We are seniors on the fixed income and while a $6.40 monthly increase may seem meaningless to you its $76.80 a year that we don't have and have no way of getting it. With the increases in everything we buy we are just making do now so another expense is beyond our means.
Bob Rucker, Aurora

On Late Fees

I heard a report that in March there was a record number of Xcel customers who were late on their payments. I am one of those customers. I am in a repayment plan, but if they raise their rates again I will be in the same position...once again. Unfortunately, Xcel is my only choice. Since they have no competition they feel they can do what they want to their customers and that's not right. Xcel has said that they want to be able to help low income customers, however they want to add an addition 75 cents to their custormers bills, so who is really helping the low income customers?
Thank you,
Gwendolyn Donalson, Aurora

On Xcel Shareholders

Another increase when rates doubled last winter is unconscionable.  Please no more increases just so the board and shareholders can realize greater profits. This is an essential service which is monopolized. We have no other choice but to use Xcel. Lower and middle income people are being over-burdened by immoral rate increases by energy corporations. It needs to stop now.
Pamela Ross, Littleton

On Small Businesses

I have a small retail business that has been operating for 9 years now. We work very hard, pay our taxes, try to keep our employees happy, and live a normal productive life. The entire energy industry is making this less and less feasible. These future increases may drive one of Colorados best retailers out of business.
Aaron Blake, Greeley

As a small business owner, I don't begrudge anyone making a profit. I do, however, resent the usury that is being shown by energy companies. I would ask that the PUC do its duty and regulate  in behalf of and protect the interests of both business and home consumers. Thank you in advance.
Stephanie Reinike, Steamboat Springs