The new varying time-of-day rates for Colorado Springs Utilities customers will begin rolling out across Colorado Springs in October. Residents who use home solar panels could see a new fee to mirror the impacts in 2027.

Utilities staff proposed the new "demand charge" for net metering customers as part of the rate package at the Utilities Board meetings last week. If approved by the City Council, the charge could increase electricity bills by around $50 per month for more than 9,000 customers who use the renewable solar program.

CSU Chief Financial Officer Tristan Gearhart said the charge was meant to balance out the discounts offered by net metering with the effort to encourage residents to change when they use the most power.

"What makes sense on our side is it encourages behavior du

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