Carbon Management Strategy

Climate change is an increasingly important issue in this country and internationally. While debate continues in the scientific community as to what extent the earth's climate is warming, we are taking actions today to address the issue. We support voluntary actions to manage carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that some scientists think may influence the earth’s climate, and we developed a proactive carbon management strategy.

Our carbon management plan, which we announced in April 2004, will result in a 7 percent reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) intensity (pounds per megawatt-hour) from 2003 levels (1650 lbs./MWh) to 2012 levels (1530 lbs./MWh). We also will reduce total CO2 emissions from the electricity supplied to our customers by a cumulative total of 12 million tons by 2009.

We will achieve this reduction through our voluntary Minnesota Emission Reduction Project, significant expansion in wind generating capacity across our system, continued operation of non-emitting generating sources such as hydro and nuclear, increased efficiencies from our coal-fired generating stations, and programs to help our customers increase energy efficiency. We expect to reduce carbon intensity even with the addition of potential new coal generation in Colorado, as well as additional generating resources across our system to meet customers' growing energy needs.

Carbon Disclosure:

We disclose on a voluntary basis information about our environmental, economic and social performance.  We provide this information annually in our Triple Bottom Line Report and also to research organizations upon request.   The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) is an independent not-for-profit organization, which solicits information requests and makes corporate responses publicly available.