Xcel Energy’s leadership in reducing carbon dioxide emissions received national recognition from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, March 9, 2016. The EPA, along with The Climate Registry and the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, honored Xcel Energy with a 2016 Climate Leadership Award for its commitment to clean energy and excellence in greenhouse gas management.
“We are honored to be recognized for our leadership in implementing clean energy solutions and for the significant emission reductions we are achieving across our system,” said Ben Fowke, chairman, president and CEO of Xcel Energy. “Xcel Energy continues to improve the way we produce and deliver energy to secure a more sustainable energy future for our customers and our communities.”
Xcel Energy achieved a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 to 2014 by implementing a strategy that increased the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency programs while retiring and repowering coal-fueled generating plants with natural gas. The company is now on track to reach a 30 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2020. Xcel Energy third-party verifies and registers all of its greenhouse gas emissions data with The Climate Registry.
“I am proud to distinguish Xcel Energy for its outstanding actions and dedication to reduce harmful carbon pollution that leads to climate change,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “Xcel Energy is leading the way towards a healthy environment, and demonstrates that meeting challenges of a changing climate can be done.”
The annual Climate Leadership Awards recognize exemplary leadership in response to climate change and for excellence in greenhouse gas management, organizations are honored for their efforts to set and achieve aggressive emission reduction goals.
The EPA also recognized Xcel Energy’s first in the nation partnership with the city of Minneapolis and CenterPoint Energy. The group received an Innovative Partnerships certificate for working together on leading-edge climate initiatives.
Find more information about the 2016 Climate Leadership Awards here.
Xcel Energy (NYSE: 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 www.xcelenergy.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
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