Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A franchise agreement is a legal document negotiated between a City and a utility that allows the utility to access transmission lines and other energy infrastructure for repairs, upgrades, and relocation.

The City of Glendale is nearing the end of its 20-year franchise agreement with Xcel. The franchise agreement has provided the foundation for a partnership that improves reliability of energy infrastructure, coordinates utility work with city projects, and requires Xcel to financially compensate Glendale for the use of its streets and other public rights-of-way.

The agreement requires the utility to restore power in the shortest time possible after outages and mandates coordination with the City of Glendale during storms, disasters, and emergencies, such as a blizzard or fire.

The contract empowers the City to hold Xcel accountable to high safety and reliability standards. It ensures Xcel’s long-term commitment to Glendale and its utility customers.

The agreement has nothing to do with rates or determining which utility company provides power. The franchise agreement gives the utility access to its equipment (overhead and underground), most of which sits on public property. The franchise agreement mandates that Xcel will pay for upgrades and improvements to energy infrastructure, not Glendale.

The City of Glendale and Xcel have negotiated their next 20-year agreement. City Council unanimously referred the agreement to the ballot. Now it’s up to Glendale voters to vote YES on 2B before it goes into effect. Ballots will arrive in the mail the first week of October.