I combed our limited local news media to see if I could find any information about this, and had trouble digging up anything (maybe a foot soldier could point me in the right direction). The only thing I could find was that Xcel made a generous (tiny) donation to the Red Cross;

“In recognition of the great efforts of the local Red Cross to assist affected customers, we’re pleased to make a $2,500 donation.”

Well that was nice of them, considering most of the DT residents that were affected by the power outage never went to the shelter and got a hotel room.

A couple of DT residents told me they thought ‘Renter’s Insurance’ would cover it. I told them, “Xcel should cover it. You are their customer, and you are paying for a service, and when it does not work, you need to be compensated.”

I also suggest that Xcel should pay for the contents of your Refrigerator and Freezer.

Remember, this is a PRIVATE energy company that flies several of their execs back and forth each week on a private jet to different corporate locations, because Gawd forbid they do business via teleconferencing.

This is interesting on many levels. Who is responsible for the outage? Xcel or the City? Who should cover the expenses involved with the outage?

I also find it a bit comical that Xcel thought DT loft residents were going to sleep on a cot next to total strangers. I’m not saying they are snobs, but they certainly are not transients.

I wonder how their lawyers will conduct this Mexican Hat Dance.

2 Thoughts on “So is Xcel Energy going to reimburse Downtown SF residents for hotel expenses over the past weekend?

  1. OleSlewFoot on February 2, 2013 at 8:44 am said:

    http://puc.sd.gov/consumer/complaint_form.aspx

    Here you go. Ask the PUC. I am thinking you will find you have no right to compensation by xcel or the city unless the outage is for an extended amount of time, if at all.

    I also believe customers are expected to prepare for emergencies. If you “require” power then you are responsible to make sure you have that power during an outage.

    Most renter’s and homeowner’s insurance have an “additional living expense” rider to cover such an event.

  2. They were going to check with the PUC also. But it doesn’t surprise me that the SD PUC would have something that protects the Energy companies from their ‘evil’ customers.

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