Xcel Energy Reduces Carbon Emissions 30 Percent

Company reports progress delivering a more sustainable energy future for
communities

MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#corporateresponsibility–Xcel Energy demonstrated its environmental leadership in 2016 by
reducing carbon emissions 30 percent and expanding its renewable energy
portfolio. The company released its Corporate
Responsibility Report highlighting results Xcel Energy achieved as
it transitions to cleaner energy sources and provides other benefits to
the communities it serves, including industry-leading energy efficiency
programs, economic development and energy assistance support.

“We know our success is tied to our communities’ success,” said Ben
Fowke, chairman, president and CEO, Xcel Energy. “Growing and vibrant
communities support our business, while clean and affordable energy
powers our communities. As a responsible community partner, we are
committed to delivering on our shared goals and continually raise the
bar on our performance.”

In 2016, Xcel Energy reduced carbon emissions 30 percent since 2005,
four years earlier than expected and now anticipates it will achieve at
least a 45 percent reduction in carbon emissions system wide by 2021.

The emission reductions result from a number of steps the company is
taking to transform how it produces and delivers energy, including
adding significant amounts of low-cost wind and solar energy and
encouraging energy efficiency. The company is also retiring aging coal
units and repowering some facilities with cleaner natural gas.

In 2016, renewable energy made up 25 percent of Xcel Energy’s
electricity supply. By 2021 more than 40 percent of its electricity is
expected to come from renewables as the company pursues the nation’s
largest multi-state investment in wind energy with new wind farms
planned in seven states.

Other key results Xcel Energy delivered in 2016 include:

• Reducing air emissions, such as nitrogen oxide, by approximately 70
  percent and cutting water consumption by 35 percent at its plants.
• Offering a comprehensive portfolio of more than 150 energy-saving
  programs that combined, help customers annually save about a
  terawatt-hour of electricity—enough to power more than 142,000 homes.
• Spending $2.4 billion with local businesses—70 percent of its spending
  on goods and services. Approximately 96 percent of employee hiring is
  also local within the states that the company serves, and more than 14
  percent of newly hired employees in 2016 were military veterans.
• Contributing $63.4 million in 2016 to local communities. This includes
  $47.8 million in energy assistance that helped customers in need with
  their energy bills and $3.9 million in grants through the Xcel Energy
  Foundation to 350 nonprofits for STEM education, economic
  sustainability, environmental stewardship, and arts and culture.
• Helping to keep the public safe, by increasing awareness for
  contractors and others to call 811 before they dig, which has reduced
  our damage incident-rate for underground pipes and wires for every
  1,000 locate calls by 28 percent since 2008.

About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy (NYSE: 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
www.xcelenergy.com