Why don't you switch to a different provider? Shop around and see who has the best prices and least interrupted supply.

Oh yeah.

Thanks to the PUC, Xcel has a monopoly in this area.

Choice and competition are incentives for a business to perform better. Eliminate that and you get a bloated lethargic company that feels no recourse when it performs poorly.

They switched out my old meter for a "smart" meter this summer then implemented a tier rate plan so the highest rates are between 1 and 7 pm. You know, right when you are cooking and have lights on and the heat running.

I would love to have options. This place is 100% electric. I would shop for the best rates on electricity. Those needing gas as well could find a company that had the best combined rates.

Xcel has a monopoly so it can offer poor service at high prices.