Environmental Recognition

Renewable Energy

• The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory released its annual ranking of leading utility green power programs, showing Xcel Energy number one on the basis of total number of customers participating.
• Supporters of Amendment 37, the Renewable Energy Standard passed by Colorado voters in 2004, lauded Xcel Energy for its commitment to renewable energy. Western Resource Advocates, Environment Colorado and the 25x25 Coalition expressed their support for Xcel Energy's renewable energy efforts. The reduction in air and global warming greenhouse gases from this commitment to wind energy will be the equivalent of removing 600,000 cars from the road. Xcel Energy is on track to meet the goals of Amendment 37 eight years early.

Environmental Stewardship

• Outstanding Stewardship of America's Rivers Award from the National Hydropower Association for our Chippewa River hydro operations agreement in Wisconsin.
• In making this agreement, we collaborated with 11 stakeholder groups to resolve multiple hydro plant re-licensing issues and made provisions to improve water quality, restore fisheries, protect endangered species and preserve undeveloped land while providing reliable electricity.

Habitat Protection

• Audubon Colorado designated Xcel Energy’s Valmont Station Reservoir as the first Important Bird Area (IBA) in Boulder County, Colo. The site’s qualification as an IBA is based on the use of the site by large concentrations of waterfowl of numerous species, primarily as a wintering habitat and a rest stop during the spring and fall migrations. The reservoir and adjacent uplands provide critical habitat for the survival of select species and populations of Colorado’s wild birds. Sites are selected based on a rigorous scientific analysis of the data on bird uses of a given site.
• The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recognized Xcel Energy for its tree trimming practices. The recognition resulted from Xcel Energy’s being named for the ninth consecutive year as a “Tree Line USA” winner, an honor bestowed by the National Arbor Day Foundation for outstanding tree care efforts.

Emissions Controls

• The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), an industry research organization, recognized Xcel Energy with an award honoring our outstanding accomplishments for full-scale testing of mercury controls. This includes research efforts to more accurately measure mercury emissions and help test mercury reduction methods.

Reuse and Recycling 

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presented a Coal Combustion Products Partnership award to Xcel Energy and Lafarge North America Inc. for greatly expanding the market for ash produced at Xcel Energy’s two coal-fueled Texas power plants. The companies have successfully demonstrated that coal ash can successfully be used as roadbed material, which limits the need for putting the material in landfills.