Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)

TRI: A community right-to-know report

Each year, we are file hundreds of environmental reports to various units of government. One of these is the "Toxics Release Inventory," which is part of the Community Right-to-know Act, compiled by the Environmental Protection Agency. We support such efforts, and have included TRI data from our plants.

Our most recent TRI reports filed with the EPA in June covers the year 2006.

As you read the data in the tables, keep in mind that the vast majority of the materials listed are not released into the air or water. Our emission controls capture a system-wide average of between 80 and 90 percent of TRI reportable substances captured in our coal ash, which is stored in managed landfills. Some ash can be recycled for useful purposes, such as the manufacture of concrete or use as roadbed material. However, TRI rules require us to report TRI reportable substances in coal ash as a "land release," even when it’s kept in a managed landfill or used as roadbed base material.

If you want to learn more about the EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory program or about utility reporting, the following web sites are excellent resources:

• Edison Electric Institute provides information on the TRI program, utility reporting and the industry’s record of environmental commitment
• U.S. EPA makes the data files and TRI information available at http://www.epa.gov/triexplorer
• The Right-to-Know Net provides public access to TRI and related environmental databases to community groups concerned about toxics.

Xcel Energy goes beyond environmental compliance to measure our environmental performance. If you would like to learn more about our Company’s environmental leadership initiatives, please refer to our 2006 Triple Bottom Line Report.