October 17, 2019
Holly Bernstein
Xcel Energy is currently working on an Integrated Resource Plan, which determines how it will provide electricity to its customers for the next 15 years.
For consumers, the plan maps out the source of their home electricity and how much energy comes from coal, gas, wind and solar power.
Xcel’s plan calls to reduce carbon emissions by more than 80 percent by 2030.
It aims for zero-carbon electricity by 2050.
“It’s going to retire coal plants, it says, and build a considerable amount of natural gas generation and then add some renewables as well in the mix,” said Annie Levenson-Falk, the executive director with the Citizens Utility Board, a nonprofit that advocates for energy consumers in Minnesota.
The plan proposes to close all of the company’s coal units in the Upper Midwest, use cleaner natural gas, and increase wind and solar energy installations.
Xcel is presenting the plan to the Public Utilities Commission, and anybody is welcome to weigh in. There will be a public meeting at the Mankato Civic Center on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.
People can also comment online, by emailing consumer.puc@state.mn.us or by sending a letter to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission at 121 7th Place East, Suite 350 St. Paul, MN, 55101.
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