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This summer we shared news of Xcel Energy's PSPS Backup Battery Rebate Program, which covers up to $10,000 toward a backup battery system for eligible customers who rely on medical equipment. (Read the summer article.) Here is what has changed since then, and why the program matters in winter too.

What's New

Portable batteries. In our last article, we talked about how Xcel Energy is offering financing for permanent battery systems installed at the home. Qualifying Xcel Energy customers can now apply for either permanent or portable batteries.

New guides and videos from CIDE. CIDE is partnering with Xcel Energy to help customers get the most from their backup batteries. The videos include captions, Spanish subtitles, and sign language interpretation, and the guides are written in plain language. They will be made public by mid-November. Visit our website or follow us on Facebook or LinkedIn for updates. The guides and videos will show how to:

• Plan your power needs and a safe evacuation during an outage
• Choose between a portable and a permanent battery
• Track how much power your medical equipment uses
• Set up and maintain a backup system

Not Just for Wildfire Season

Winter in Colorado brings blizzards, heavy wet snow, and high winds that can bring down power lines for hours or days. For someone who relies on a ventilator, oxygen concentrator, CPAP, or dialysis equipment, the device stops working when the power does. Snow-covered roads can make it hard to reach a hospital or shelter, and hard for help to reach you.

A backup battery buys time to keep devices running, charge spares, and get to safety if needed.

Who Qualifies

You likely qualify if all three are true:

1. You are an Xcel Energy residential electric customer in Colorado.
2. You are enrolled in Xcel's medical certification program, which is for customers with a documented medical need for continuous power. If you aren't enrolled but think you qualify, contact Xcel through the Xcel Energy program page.
3. You live in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 wildfire risk zone. Check your address on Xcel's interactive wildfire risk map.

If you have a different utility provider, ask whether they offer a similar program. A backup battery helps in any outage.

How to Apply

Visit Xcel Energy's PSPS Backup Battery Rebate page to learn more and apply.

Questions about the program: [email protected] or 800-895-4999 (TTY 711).

This work builds on CIDE's Surviving in Place program, which distributed 1,700+ battery backup systems across Colorado. If you work in disability services, home health, or assistive technology, please share this update with your clients.