$49 Million in taxes without a vote!

Who is representing the ratepayers in this crazy Xcel Energy gas settlement? What I read in the Summit Daily article is that our coalition of governments is pleased that they have reached a settlement where rate payers of natural gas pay to provide rebates for home improvements to the tune of $49 million. That’s almost one-third of the total cost of the $155 million natural gas project. Looks more like a hidden tax increase without voter approval. 

I firmly believe that the job of Xcel Energy is to provide low-cost and reliable energy delivered safely and efficiently. If they, and our government, want to fund a rebate program, let it come from Xcel’s profits or ask the voters to approve a tax increase. It should not be on the backs of natural gas consumers. It’s time we stop this craziness and tell the Public Utility Commission to keep natural gas available, affordable and without rate funded rebate programs.