How do you build a pro-climate electric utility like @xcelenergy? Here's a helpful timeline:
1994: then separate state-based companies, the Minnesota company asks the legislature for permission to store more nuclear waste at its nuclear power plants. The Legislature agrees, in exchange for 400 megawatts of wind (x2 if cost-effective)...
2003: With 400 megawatts of cost-effective wind energy on its grid, Xcel Minnesota is required by the 1994 agreement to double its wind portfolio to 800 megawatts.
2004: Colorado residents approve a ballot initiative requiring Xcel's Colorado division to get 30% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
2004: The New Mexico legislature approves a renewable energy standard, requiring Xcel's New Mexico division to get 20% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
2007: The Minnesota legislature approves a renewable energy standard, requiring Xcel's Minnesota division to get 30% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
2013: The Minnesota legislature approves a solar energy standard, requiring Xcel's Minnesota division to get an additional 1.5% of its electricity from solar energy by 2020.
2017: Xcel CEO says the company is swapping "steel for fuel," investing heavily in wind and solar power because they are the most cost-effective.
So how do we get climate-friendly utilities? @xcelenergy is a leader among industry peers, but it was the visionary citizens and legislators in its markets who took the risk, made the map, built the roads, and gave them a push.
Everyone loves to salute the train's locomotive, but it was the those that laid the track and built the engine that deserve most of the credit. Thank you, citizens of Minnesota, Colorado, and New Mexico for your leadership!
P.S. Don't forget to look under the hood as you cheer. Here's three crucial questions about Xcel's carbon pledge: ilsr.org/three-question…
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