News Releases

Xcel Energy proposes energy efficiency programs

FARGO - Xcel Energy submitted a plan to the North Dakota Public Service Commission April 18 to promote energy efficiency among its electricity customers. Under the plan, the company would direct nearly $1.1 million to providing conservation rebates, additional marketing resources and energy efficiency information to customers.
For residential customers, the North Dakota proposal would include discounted home energy audits, low-cost fluorescent lighting, controlled air-conditioning rate discounts, and information about how consumers can become more energy efficient.  Commercial customers would have access to rebates for lighting, cooling and motor efficiency, controllable load rate discounts and energy consulting services.
 “We are committed to providing safe, reliable, and reasonably priced electricity with reduced impact on the environment,” said Mark Nisbet, principal manager in North Dakota. “Energy efficiency is a necessary part of achieving that objective. The programs we are proposing will help our customers not only become more energy efficient, but also help them manage the costs of higher energy use and prices.” 
Funding for the proposal would come from an “energy efficiency” adjustment on customers’ electricity bills.  A typical residential customer using 800 kilowatt-hours per month would pay about 40 cents more per month. The commission must approve the programs and energy efficiency rider before Xcel Energy can make them available to customers.  Nisbet said that could be sometime this fall.
In addition to energy conservation, Xcel Energy has committed to meet customers’ future electricity needs through a variety of resources including coal, nuclear, wind, natural gas and hydropower. Xcel Energy, an the environmental leader in the utility industry, was recently recognized by the American Wind Energy Association as the country’s leading provider of wind energy for the third consecutive year.
Xcel Energy serves about 86,000 customers in Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot and surrounding communities. More information about the filing and proposed rates will be available soon at: www.xcelenergy.com.

______________________________________________

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.