News Releases

Xcel Energy named to Dow Jones Sustainability Index

Company recognized as economic, environmental and social leader in North America

MINNEAPOLIS - Xcel Energy on Sept. 18 will be named to the 2006-2007 Dow Jones Sustainability Index for North America. The companies listed on the DJSI are considered to be the best in class in terms of economic, environmental and social performance.

Initiated in 1999, the DJSI is the first family of indexes to identify the leading sustainability-driven companies worldwide and benchmark their performance. Dow Jones defines corporate sustainability as a “business approach that creates long-term shareholder value by embracing opportunities and managing risks deriving from economic, environmental and social developments.”

Xcel Energy, which joined only a handful of other utilities on the North American index, is one of 112 companies to qualify for the listing. The company received high marks for its corporate governance, environmental reporting and corporate citizenship/philanthropy.

“Our employees across the company have worked very hard for many years to achieve high levels of sustainability performance and social responsibility.  Placement on this index is an independent and objective recognition of our efforts,” noted Richard Kelly, chairman, president and CEO of Xcel Energy. “I have a strong personal commitment to the values embodied by the award and can assure our stakeholders that we will continue to strive to improve our performance in these areas.”

Listing on the index is based on a thorough assessment of general and industry-specific sustainability criteria, the methodology for which is updated every year. The process for listing on the DJSI is verified externally by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company with regulated operations in eight Western and Midwestern states. Xcel Energy provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.3 million electricity customers and 1.8 million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies. Company headquarters are located in Minneapolis. More information is available at www.xcelenergy.com.

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This news release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements are intended to be identified in this document by the words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “projected,” “objective,” “outlook,” “possible,” “potential” and similar expressions. Actual results may vary materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions, including their impact on capital expenditures; business conditions in the energy industry; competitive factors; unusual weather; changes in federal or state legislation; regulation; risks associated with the California power market; currency translation and transaction adjustments; the higher degree of risk associated with Xcel Energy’s non-regulated businesses compared with Xcel Energy’s regulated business; and the other risk factors listed from time to time by Xcel Energy in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.