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Bonavia named head of Xcel Energy Commercial Enterprises

MINNEAPOLIS - Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) today announced that Paul Bonavia has been named president of the company’s new Commercial Enterprises business unit. Bonavia, formerly president of Xcel Energy’s Energy Markets, will be responsible for the company’s portfolio strategy and business development, as well as government and regulatory affairs programs in 11 states. He will continue to head the Energy Markets unit as well.

“By the nature of our business, we work closely with representatives of Congress, state legislatures and federal and state regulatory agencies,” said Wayne H. Brunetti, Xcel Energy chairman and chief executive officer. “Paul’s experience in the utility industry has provided excellent preparation for leading our government and regulatory affairs and business development teams in a challenging business environment.”

Bonavia said the new organization will implement a single commercial strategy for Xcel Energy. “We will jointly manage energy resource planning, government affairs and business strategies. Together we will create unified strategies to most efficiently operate a 20,000-megawatt system in multiple markets.”

Before serving as president of Energy Markets, Bonavia was president of the international business unit and senior vice president and general counsel at New Century Energies, a predecessor company of Xcel Energy. He came to NCE from the international law firm of LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae. Earlier he was senior vice president of corporate affairs for Dominion Resources, a utility holding company, and a partner in the Miami-based law firm of Steel Hector & Davis

Bonavia is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Law and Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Drake University, where he currently serves on the board of governors.

Xcel Energy is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company with operations in 11 Western and Midwestern states. Xcel Energy provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.2 million electricity customers and 1.7 million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies. In terms of customers, it is the fourth-largest combination natural gas and electricity company in the nation. Company headquarters are located in Minneapolis. More information is available at www.xcelenergy.com.