Waste-to-Energy

Xcel Energy operates four waste-to-energy facilities in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Two burn refuse-derived fuel (RDF) — material produced from processing municipal waste — to produce electricity. Another burns a combination of wood waste and RDF. The fourth burns wood waste and discarded tires, along with coal and natural gas.

Waste-to-energy facilities not only produce electricity; they play an important role in using waste that would otherwise end up in landfills.  All of our waste-to-energy facilities have upgraded air quality control systems to meet stringent environmental emission regulations.