Public Safety Power Shutoff
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Power grid shutdowns in Colorado bring protection — and problems
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A downed power line in Sunshine Canyon in the mountains west of Boulder in December posed an electrocution risk to firefighters and bystanders after Xcel Energy re-energized it without repairing it, despite being notified of the break the day before. Then, local officials added, it posed a wildfire risk by starting a small grass fire.…
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Xcel Energy prepares for power shutoffs due to high winds
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Forecast high winds along the Front Range on Wednesday revive memories of the devastating 2021 Marshall fire that destroyed more than 1,000 homes when gusts downed energized power lines. Xcel Energy now weighs proactive power cuts to avoid similar ignitions amid dangerously dry conditions. The Marshall fire erupted under comparable wind events with gusts exceeding…
