Mar 6, 2020   SOURCE: BusinessWire

Xcel Energy Recognized Nationally for Climate Leadership

Xcel Energy received a national 2020 Climate Leadership Award today from the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions and The Climate Registry, in partnership with America’s Pledge. The company was recognized with an Organizational Leadership award, for its industry-leading carbon reduction efforts and its support for communities and customers in achieving their clean energy and climate goals.

“We are honored to receive this award for our commitment to addressing the risk of climate change through innovative policies and programs,” said Ben Fowke, chairman, president and CEO of Xcel Energy. “It’s an exciting time in the energy industry, and we are proving that by working together, we can achieve great things both for our customers and the environment.”

The award honors Xcel Energy for multiple industry-leading clean energy initiatives that are helping the company to achieve ambitious carbon reduction goals. Xcel Energy is making the nation’s largest multi-state wind investment that will increase its wind capacity 70% by 2022 under its Steel for Fuel strategy. It also is implementing or has proposed transformative clean energy plans that will retire half of its coal capacity between 2006 and 2027.

To help customers save money and reduce their own carbon footprints, the company offers a comprehensive portfolio of more than 150 energy efficiency programs, including Partners in Energy, which works with communities to maximize conservation and clean energy efforts.

In addition, the company is investing in low-carbon transportation through a portfolio of innovative initiatives and pilot programs that focus on expanding access to EV charging systems and integrating electric vehicles into municipal fleet operations.

Xcel Energy is the first major U.S. utility to announce a vision of delivering 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050. In 2019 Xcel Energy reduced carbon emissions 10% over 2018, its largest ever single year drop. The company served its customers with electricity that was more than 40% carbon free in 2019 and reduced its carbon emissions by 44% compared to 2005 levels.

In 2016, Xcel Energy was honored with a Climate Leadership Award for Greenhouse Gas Management.

About Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.