Xcel Energy will begin shutting down electricity in some countries to conserve natural gas supplies – CBS Denver

(CBS4) – Xcel Energy is conducting an outage for several Colorado counties overnight, in an effort to keep their statewide system up and running.

(credit: CBS)

The Marshall Fire and Middle Fork Fire currently burning in Boulder County have impacted Xcel’s natural gas infrastructure that supports systems in Summit and Grand Counties. Periodic blackouts are expected in Summit, Grand, Lake, Eagle, Saguache, Rio Grande and Alamosa Counties for approximately 8 hours. The outage is expected to last about 60 minutes.

Wildfires have impacted Xcel Energy’s natural gas infrastructure supporting Summit County and Grand County. The company is conducting periodic power cuts in some counties and is asking Summit and Grand County customers to help conserve natural gas. https://t.co/vbSEnhE8Vx

– Xcel Energy Colorado (@XcelEnergyCO) December 31, 2021

Xcel customers in Summit and Grand Counties are being asked to conserve natural gas in an effort to maintain system reliability stable through the mountains. Law enforcement across the mountains is reminding people that these outages are planned and asking them not to call 911.

(credit: CBS)

There is currently no Xcel natural gas service available to customers in Superior and Louisville, and the service will be shut down indefinitely. Officials cited safety concerns as the reason for the outage.

The Marshall Fire has burned 1,600 acres and nearly 600 homes have burned to date in Boulder County.