Xcel Energy Cuts Carbon Emissions 35 Percent

Retiring coal plants and increasing renewables key to companyÔÇÖs clean
energy transition

MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#corporateresponsibility–Xcel Energy is a step closer to achieving one of the most aggressive
carbon-reduction goals in the industry. Today, the company announced it
cut carbon emissions 35 percent, according to its newly released Corporate
Responsibility Report. This puts Xcel Energy on track to reach or
exceed its ambitious goal of reducing carbon emissions 60 percent by
2030 from 2005 levels.

ÔÇ£WeÔÇÖre on a path to provide a more sustainable, prosperous energy future
and believe reducing carbon emissions while enhancing affordability is a
tremendous benefit for the customers and communities we serve,ÔÇØ said Ben
Fowke, chairman, president and CEO of Xcel Energy.

Xcel Energy surpassed the U.S. commitment under the Paris Climate Accord
in 2016, which called for a 26 to 28 percent reduction in carbon
emissions by 2025. ItÔÇÖs now working to achieve a 50 percent reduction in
carbon emissions by 2022 from 2005 levels.

The company plans to continue reducing its environmental footprint with
an energy mix that is projected to be 60 percent carbon free in 2022.
This transition to cleaner energy involves retiring aging coal plants
and replacing their energy with a combination of wind and solar power
and using natural gas as backup. Much of the energy will come from wind
power, as Xcel Energy will more than double its wind generation with 12
new wind farms in seven states. These new energy sources are
complemented by two key sources ÔÇö the companyÔÇÖs broad array of advanced
customer energy efficiency programs and the continued efficient
operation of its carbon-free nuclear plants in the Upper Midwest.

Other highlights detailed in the report include:

• Forty percent carbon-free electricity provided to customers in 2017,
  about half generated by wind energy.
• The retirement of 20 coal units from 2005 to 2026, representing 40
  percent of its coal-powered capacity.
• CustomersÔÇÖ annual energy savings through the companyÔÇÖs efficiency
  programs were equivalent to powering 152,000 average homes with
  electricity and fueling 21,000 homes with natural gas.
• Emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are down more than 70
  percent and water consumption decreased 40 percent from 2005 levels.
• A decline in the average Xcel Energy residential electricity and
  natural gas bill over the past five years which results in keeping
  bills flat overall.
• Community investment of $72.9 million in 2017, which includes support
  for energy assistance that helped customers in need, volunteer
  programs and grants through the Xcel Energy Foundation to nonprofits
  for STEM education, economic sustainability, environmental stewardship
  and arts and culture.

The 2017 Corporate Responsibility Report tracks economic, environmental
and social performance and includes information related to the
environment, safety, economic development, community giving and
workplace programs.

About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of
homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states.
Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in
responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean
energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive
prices. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com
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Contacts

Xcel Energy Media Relations, 612-215-5300
Xcel Energy internet
address: www.xcelenergy.com