A North Dakota Public Service Commission staff report concludes Xcel Energy "was at fault to some degree" for a power outage that caused about $100,000 worth of property damage in a north Fargo neighborhood.
The report states that tree trimming the utility did in the neighborhood in 2008 was inadequate to prevent a tree branch from contacting a power line and contributing to an Aug. 27 power surge that damaged appliances and electronics in about 20 homes.
The surge occurred in the 1600 block of Seventh Street and Eighth Street North.
The PSC report also said the outage likely could have been avoided if the company had not installed a "mid-span tap" on a power line near the problematic tree a number of years ago.
In a written statement Tuesday, Xcel Energy stated:
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"While we diligently followed our four-year line clearance plan for this area, above average precipitation in Fargo may have contributed to the branch extending far enough to contact the line in this neighborhood.
"We have taken steps to address the concerns of customers in this neighborhood by installing new secondary lines, replacing the transformers serving the block, and doing additional tree pruning in the area where a branch contacted the line," the statement added.
Xcel also said the new secondary lines are insulated and lashed together to minimize the effects of tree-related contacts.
A PSC spokesman said last month fines could be imposed if the company was found to be at fault for the outage and surge.
The PSC was also researching whether it has the authority to force Xcel to reimburse customers for damages.
Public Service Commissioner Kevin Cramer said Tuesday that the staff report will be discussed at the commission's Oct. 20 meeting.
"It is my hope we will see Xcel Energy demonstrate good corporate citizenship between now and then," Cramer said, adding: "They (Xcel) have been very cooperative in the investigation and clearly care about the community."
Readers can reach Forum reporter Dave Olson at (701) 241-5555
