Published: May 30, 2019 |

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Xcel Energy released plans to retire its last two coal plants in the Upper Midwest a decade earlier than scheduled. The acceleration of the coal closures is another milestone in the company’s clean energy transition that includes expanding wind and solar, using cleaner natural gas, and operating its carbon-free Monticello nuclear plant until at least 2040.

The plan outlines a path to make the transition while ensuring reliability and keeping costs low for customers. As part of this plan, the company has reached an agreement with a coalition of environmental and labor organizations on key elements of the plan relating to its coal, solar and natural gas plans.

These plans are part of the proposed Upper Midwest Energy Plan, which the company will submit for approval to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in July. If approved, the plan would lead to a more than 80 percent reduction in carbon emissions in the region by 2030, compared to 2005, a key stepping stone toward the company achieving its vision to provide customers 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2050.

“This is a significant step forward as we are on track to reduce carbon emissions more than 80 percent by 2030 and transform the way we deliver energy to our customers. Accelerating the closure of our coal plants and leading this clean energy transition would not be possible without the dedication and support of our key stakeholders. We thank them for their work to put us on a path to deliver 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2050,” said Chris Clark, president, Xcel Energy – Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota.

Agreement with Coalition of Groups

While the company prepared its long-term plan, it also worked closely with a coalition of groups, including environmental and labor organizations on an agreement to close its two remaining coal plants in the region. Additional elements of the agreement include increased commitment to solar energy, energy efficiency, consideration of local job impacts in connection with future renewable additions, and purchasing a natural gas plant, the Mankato Energy Center.

“Clean energy and economic vitality are critically important to our communities and we appreciate the leadership and collaboration from this coaltion of groups in reaching this agreement. We look forward to continued partnership as this agreement is reviewed by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission,” said Clark.

Commitment to Communities, Customers, and Employees

Xcel Energy’s proposed plans come with a commitment to helping its employees and the communities that host its plants make a successful transition to cleaner energy. The company expects to manage the transition through attrition, retirements and retraining for employees who take other jobs within the company. It will also work closely with the Monticello community as it seeks to continue the use of the Monticello nuclear plant until at least 2040. That process requires approvals at state and federal levels.

“Our employees are the reason we are able to deliver reliable service to our customers. Over the next decade, we will work closely with them and our plant host communities to ensure a successful transition. We have been on our clean energy journey for more than a decade and have a track record of making the transition with a strong focus on our employees and communities,” said Clark.

The company’s plan is also designed to ensure that customers’ bills stay low. As Xcel Energy moves forward on its clean energy vision, it believes it can reach its carbon-reduction goals outlined in the plan while keeping customer bills at or below the rate of inflation. Retiring coal, adding renewables and extending the use of nuclear energy is the fastest way to deliver carbon reductions at the lowest cost.

Xcel Energy has worked collaboratively with stakeholders including business, community and environmental groups to shape its Upper Midwest Energy Plan over the past 18 months. That plan will be formally submitted to for consideration with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on July 1, 2019.

About Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy 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.

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