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XTRA FEBRUARY 15, 2017 VOLUME 17 • ISSUE 4 WILDFIRE PROTECTION Program helps ensure reliability of the transmission system

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Page 1: XTRA - Xcel Energy · New solar facility now operational in Minnesota One of the largest solar installations in Minnesota is now delivering renewable energy to Xcel Energy custom-ers

XTRAFEBRUARY 15 , 2017 VOLUME 17 • ISSUE 4

WILDFIRE PROTECTIONProgram helps ensure reliability of the transmission system

Page 2: XTRA - Xcel Energy · New solar facility now operational in Minnesota One of the largest solar installations in Minnesota is now delivering renewable energy to Xcel Energy custom-ers

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Ice StormTexas crews come to the rescue after historic storm.

Wild�re ProtectionXcel Energy works to protect its transmission system.

Texas TrainingHigh-tech simulators employed at new facility.

Storm RebuildNew type of foundation helps with quick restoration effort.

Customer Care AppA new application is smoothing work in the �eld.

Sibley ProjectEffort helps return gas-storage plant to its original capacity.

PeopleThe most recent Friends We’ll Miss and Retirements.

On the CoverXcel Energy’s Transmission Wild�re Protection Program focuses on reducing risks near transmission towers by clearing vegetation and woody debris away from the structures. Here, a transmission tower stands like a sentinel in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. For more information, please see page eight.

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Page 3: XTRA - Xcel Energy · New solar facility now operational in Minnesota One of the largest solar installations in Minnesota is now delivering renewable energy to Xcel Energy custom-ers

(Editor’s Note: Ben Fowke, chairman, president and CEO, periodically writes a blog on XpressNet, as well as other articles and communications. Xtra features Fowke’s comments on a recurring basis to share his thoughts with a wider audience.)

I’ve been thinking a lot about what we need to do to be successful this year, and what behav-iors will drive us in that direction.

I’ve talked over the past few years about our Strategic Call to Action and our Four Pillar Plan to achieve that strategy. But people often ask me what they can do in their role to move the needle.

There are tangible ways you can help. While it is important that we all contribute to individual, depart-ment and company goals, there are fundamental behaviors that I am asking all employees to focus on in 2017 and beyond:• Own your customers’ needs• Drive cost effectiveness• Be a team player• Strive for excellence Over the course of the year, you will be asked to take a pledge to deliver on these behaviors. I’d like you to think about what actions you can take, from wherever you sit in our company, to support them. Talk about them with your manager as you have your quarterly connection and set goals consistent with these behaviors. Use these opportunities to get aligned on what you can do to move the needle, and let’s go drive great results. One thing I intend to do this year is step up my

own efforts to recognize and reward those who embody these behaviors and deliver great results. I want to be more visible in locations across our company, acknowledge those delivering signi�cant results and share those stories so that we can all aspire to do the same.

Our engagement survey results indicate you would like to see greater use of recognition and reward tools, too, so I am committed to doing so – including getting greater �exibility in our incentives so we can truly differentiate high performance. Thank you for all your work last year, and for your continued commitment in 2017. By delivering on these behaviors each day, we can and will transform Xcel Energy into the competitive, customer-focused organization needed to succeed in a rapidly changing environment.

The behaviors that drive us toward success

CEO Message

“Thank you for all your work last year, and for your continued

commitment in 2017.”

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An icy winter storm ripped through the Texas Pan-handle on Jan. 14, knocking out power to nearly 60,000 Xcel Energy customers and in�icting the most damage the company’s infrastructure has seen in decades. The number of customers out was down to 3,400 by Jan. 18. And by Jan. 20, more than 99 percent of all power had been restored. Proactive storm and outage messaging began the day before Winter Storm Jupiter hit. And afterward, customers in the area were kept apprised of the company’s restoration efforts through the call centers, xcelenergy.com, social media and local media. Borger and Pampa were particularly hard hit, along with other areas northeast of Amarillo. The storm impacted upwards of 15 percent of all Texas/New Mexico customers, said David

Hudson, president of Xcel Energy–Texas and New Mexico. At the height of restoration, more than 870 employees and contractors worked to restore power around the clock. Employ-ees from Stores, Fleet and Dispatch – to name a few – also helped with the effort, he said. This included Customer Care and Distribution employees from across the company, who helped in various ways, including returning calls to customers. “Many thanks to all of the team members who worked on behalf of our customers to restore power, coordinate supplies and ensure ongoing updates to our customers and communi-ties,” Hudson said. “I could not be prouder of the dedication and incredible teamwork shown. These communities could not have been in better hands.” While travel improved quickly on pavement in the after-

TexasIce StormCrews successfully battle Winter Storm Jupiter

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math of the storm, tractors and track equipment were required off-road due to mud, which made for extremely dif�cult working conditions. Thick ice and related heavy tree damage affected systems throughout the region from transmission down to individual homes. Many customers in the area required individual mast repairs – or repairs to the equipment attached to their homes – before reconnection of their electric service could be completed by crews. Also, the day the storm hit, company crews from the Den-ver metro area, Boulder, Fort Collins, Greeley and Grand Junction headed out to help in the Texas Panhandle, he said. In all, more than 1,350 poles were replaced, along with 2,300 cross-arms. And a total of nine miles of conductor needed restringing. Throughout the ordeal, the company received a lot of posi-tive feedback on social media from customers. Some of those comments included:

• “You guys are doing a great job after this ice storm – great customer service. I am totally impressed! Thank you, thank you!”

• “Xcel Energy, we appreciate all you do, and I am praying safety for your crews.”

• “Thank you for all the hard work, long nights, putting your lives in danger, and giving of your spare time with your families. You guys are all our heroes!”

• “We live in Darrouzett and don’t have power yet, but we know you are all working as hard as you possibly can and the effort has not gone unnoticed. The amount of people you have out working to get everyone’s power restored is truly an impressive sight.”

“We send our thanks again to all of the crews that re-sponded in the �eld in terrible initial weather conditions, as well as our teams answering incoming phone calls and messages,” Hudson said. “And of course, we send thanks to our customers for their amazing support and patience.”

Icy WorkBorger and Pampa were two Texas cities par-ticularly hard hit by Winter Storm Jupiter, along with other areas northeast of Amarillo. The storm impacted upwards of 15 percent of all Texas/New Mexico customers, but crews quickly tackled the work to restore power.

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Log booms were once a common sight on the rivers of northern Wisconsin, including the Chippewa River where Xcel Energy has six hydro facilities. The logging era got rolling in the late 1830s and became a �ourishing, albeit dangerous industry for about the next 75 years. During that time, log booms were used to collect and con-tain �oating logs timbered from nearby forests. The booms were made up of large �oating logs, linked together end to end across the river, like a �oating chain. About eight years ago, an Xcel Energy employee discovered a huge boom log while working on the Chippewa Falls Hydro. The submerged and well-preserved log was eventually pulled from the river and onto the embankment, and eventually transported to the city park. However, above water and exposed to weather, the log slowly started to show signs of deterioration. “The log certainly is impressive from its sheer size and wear marks, so when the Chippewa County Historical Society reached out to us for help to move it to a better place, we were on board,” said Rob Olson, manager of Hydro Operations. Jim Schuh, vice president of the Chippewa County Histori-

cal Society, set the move in motion with assistance from Mike Tessmer, Mitch Barka and Ben Jensen, all employees with the Hydro Maintenance department. The boom log, which had been submerged for well over 100 years, is 42 feet long. Markings show that it was cut prior to the invention of the cutting blades for saws in about 1869. “We see old saw logs from time to time, but �nding a boom log is unusual,” Olson said. “It likely dates back to the saw mill that operated upstream of the Chippewa Falls Hydro before the hydro plant was built in 1926.” Olson’s guess is probably right. The Chippewa Lumber & Boom Co. sawmill, known as the “Big Mill,” was located along the Chippewa River near Court Street in Chippewa Falls and operated from 1857 to 1911. “The log is now in storage, and the long-term plan is to preserve it and eventually place it in a protected part of the new Chippewa County Historical Society Museum when it is built,” Schuh said. “We appreciate the ambitious work of Xcel Energy and our folks at the historical society to save forest history.”

Relic of logging industry found at Chippewa Falls Hydro

Wisconsin Log Booms

Chippewa Lumber Co.

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News Briefs

Company hosts EEI National Key Accounts Workshop

Representatives from the larg-est retail companies in the country gathered in Minneapolis recently to learn about the future of the electric industry. Xcel Energy served as the host utility for the EEI National Key Accounts Workshop, a four-day gath-ering of 750 customers, utility peers and vendors in Minneapolis. Ben Fowke, chairman, presi-dent and CEO, delivered the keynote address, sharing his perspective on the changing industry. He noted that today’s energy is more reliable,

cleaner and more affordable than ever before. The industry is spending billions of dollars to protect and strengthen the energy grid, he said, and as a percentage of GDP, the cost of U.S. electricity has dropped from 3.4 percent in 1985 to 2.2 percent in 2015. Other Xcel Energy workshop participants included:• Dan Nygaard, vice president of Cus-

tomer Solutions, who participated in a panel discussion on public advocacy and regulatory issues.

• Drew Quirk, a product developer in Product Strategy and Development, who participated in a breakout session on how to leverage data to save energy.

• Judy Corrigan, who has served on the EEI workshop planning com-mittee for 15 years and facilitated breakout sessions.

• Judy Ring, with National Accounts, who also facilitated breakout ses-sions.

“We hosted an executive din-ner with our largest customers and provided a tour of downtown Min-neapolis,” Ring said. “It was a great opportunity to strengthen relation-ship with customers and share our story with potential customers who may want to relocate to our service territory.”

New solar facility now operational in Minnesota

One of the largest solar installations in Minnesota is now delivering renewable energy to Xcel Energy custom-ers in the Upper Midwest. The Marshall Solar Energy Project started com-mercial operations last month and will generate enough electricity to power about 15,000 Upper Midwest homes. The facility is owned and operated by Marshall Solar, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources. Constructed on approximately 355 acres of privately owned property near Marshall, Minnesota, the 62-mega-watt facility will avoid about 87,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, according to Marshall Solar. Xcel Energy is purchasing power from the facility as part of a 25-year deal to provide solar energy to customers. “We’re pleased to work with NextEra Energy Re-sources on this large-scale solar project delivering the

renewable energy our customers want at a competitive price,” said Chris Clark, president of Xcel Energy–Min-nesota. “The Marshal Solar Project puts us on a path to achieve our goal to be 63 percent carbon-free by 2030, and we’re excited to see this facility come online.” Construction and operation of the Marshall Solar project is also boosting the southwest Minnesota economy. Nearly 300 workers and staff were employed for the con-struction of the project, and an estimated $400,000 in annual tax revenue will be generated for the state and local governments, as well as area schools, during the operational life of the project. In addition to Marshall Solar, the North Star Solar Project became operational in December, and the Aurora Project has facilities coming online as they are completed, with completion of the entire project expected this year.

French Island to continue waste-to-energy production

Xcel Energy and La Crosse County recently reached an agreement on an extension of their contract to convert municipal solid waste (MSW) to renewable energy at the company’s French Island Generating Station in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The county board approved the deal last month.

The two parties have worked together since the 1980s to divert garbage from the county land�ll to French Island, where it is processed, incinerated and converted into electricity. The contract extension will run through at least 2030, with options to further extend the deal to 2040.

Since 1987, 2 million tons of MSW have been received from the county and processed into fuel at the plant. That amount of refuse-derived fuel, or RDF, was used to provide

electricity to more than 10,000 customers per year and eliminated the need for La Crosse County to have to build two new land�lls.

“The bonus to us is that the energy produced isn’t go-ing to some far-off place,” said Henry Koch, county solid waste operations director. “It’s being used in our com-munity, and so we bene�t from having a locally renewable source of energy.”

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Wild�res destroy lives, homes, property and, of course, forests.

They also can destroy electric transmission infrastructure, potentially wreaking havoc on reliability and the overall stability of the grid.

Thankfully, Xcel Energy’s Vegetation Management group has worked over the past few years on a program to tackle this issue – de�ning the challenges, leveraging new technolo-gies and developing plans to ensure the safety of the company’s system.

The Transmission Wild�re Protection Program (TWPP) is aimed at protecting a portion of the company’s nearly 20,000 miles of transmission lines, although the bulk of the work is on

lines running through bark beetle-ravaged forests in parts of Colorado.

TWPP focuses on proactively reducing risks near transmission towers by physically clearing vegetation and woody debris on the ground, as well as thinning the forest adjacent to the structures, said David Wall, program manager with Vegetation Management.

“In the West, forest health has been declining over the years due to drought, insect infestations and other issues, and we now have a lot of dead trees and fuel buildup in parts of our forests,” he explained. “In particular with the pine and spruce bark beetle epidemic, we decided to assess the problem, and then developed measures to take care of our transmission system.”

TRANSMISSION WILDFIRE PROTECTION PROGRAM

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TRANSMISSION WILDFIRE PROTECTION PROGRAM

Initially, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology was used to spot dead trees that could fall and take out the lines. The use of LiDAR then was expanded to help consider fuel loading in the forests, which involves determining the types and amounts of �ammable material around transmission structures – both growing and laying on the ground.

Not surprisingly, fuel buildup was greater along transmis-sion right of ways because when they were cleared, plenty of debris was left behind with no mechanical means to easily remove it, he said.

“We needed to �gure out a systematic way to identify structures at risk and resolve the problem,” Wall said

However, there were no guidelines on how to complete

this work, or how to handle the buildup materials. To tackle the issue, the company engaged �re scientists and government agencies to determine how best to take on the challenge.

The �rst step involved determining the amount of clear-ances needed around speci�c structures, based on the amount of potential fuel on the ground. Eventually, the research found that it is not a simple set distance, but instead is determined by the varying fuel types near each structure. Fuel models are used by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in �ghting forests �res. Those fuel models are now being used to protect the company’s transmission system. “We are working with fuel models and coming up with prescriptions for each structure at risk in our system,” Wall said.

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“We then assign a stretch of transmission line to a contractor – armed with the fuel-model and other data we’ve collected – to go out and complete the work, structure by structure.” With guidelines now in place for various fuel models, both standing trees and deadfall are cleared back safely away from transmission structures and lines. “We have leaned on �re-science experts and developed radius clearances for all structures,” Wall said. “It certainly was a lot more complicated than we initially thought, but we are now steadily creating a more reliable system company-wide.” Federal, state and local entities have been receptive to the TWPP effort, he added, and understand the risk and the need to protect electric infrastructure. “They understand the threat of wild�res and appreciate our proactive efforts,” he said. “A lot of our transmission system runs through forests in Colorado, and we could face serious consequences from forest-�re damage. “Protecting our transmission system from wild�res helps us provide reliable electric service to our customers.”

Wild�resXcel Energy’s Vegetation Management group has worked over the past few years on a program to tackle the issue of protecting the company’s transmission system from wild�res – de�ning the challenges, leveraging new technolo-gies and developing plans to ensure the safety of the company’s system. Pictured on pages 10 and 11 are examples of areas that were in need of clearing and the damaging effects of �re.

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The Science of Fire Jim Webb, a retired USFS forestry expert, is Xcel Energy’s point person for the science behind Xcel Energy’s Transmission Wild�re Protection Program and served as a key source during the initial effort to develop the program. He started his work by looking at heat-related research to see how wood, aluminum, steel and other transmission structures would be affected by various heat thresholds. Knowing those thresholds, he then set out to determine how far away forest fuels needed to be from structures, in part by studying GIS mapping data. “It’s a broad scale, but you can see a lot from thousands of feet up,” he said. “If you know the heat thresholds of the transmission materials, you can then determine how far away the forest fuels need to be from your structures. “By also considering weather and slope data, we can then develop speci�c fuel pro�les along transmis-sion line routes,” said Webb, now a forestry consultant. “Slopes, for instance, can cause structures to get preheated, and eventually push �ames into towers and lines,” he added. “The idea is to look at all of the data and mitigate potential damage so structures are not imperiled by nearby heat and �ames.” The trick involved determining how big an air cushion was needed around structures to keep them from reaching their heat thresholds, he explained. From there, buffer zones were created based on the fuels in the forest at each structure location. Early in the effort, Webb went into the �eld to verify his �ndings. He collected a large sample of data in pine-beetle-infested forests, then compared his data with company-collected LiDAR data. Fortunately, the data synched up, and the effort then moved forward in earnest. “We then knew the data was good for master planning across the entire transmission system,” he said. “And we set about building individual prescrip-tions for each structure.” Surprisingly, perhaps, that individual treatment is saving the company plenty of money, Webb said. “There are signi�cant differences between the vari-ous fuel models, meaning the amount of work needed to clear the forest and right of ways can also vary greatly,” he said. “So it’s economical to look at individual struc-tures to determine the labor needed for each.” Webb speaks highly of the company, and is clearly proud of the work he and company personnel have achieved. “Xcel Energy is a joy to work for because of its excellent approach to safety and the knowledge of the staff,” he said. “Their willingness to brainstorm and collaborate to solve problems is fantastic. They don’t come any better.”

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Water �lls the trench that a heavy-equipment opera-tor is digging out, and the excavator’s footing begins to slip in the mud. Efforts to keep the equipment upright eventually fail, and soon the operator’s cab is on its side.

The good news? This entire event occurred on an advanced simulator with a large video screen, used at the new training center on the grounds of the company’s Amarillo Technical Center, known as the ATC. Xcel Energy has enlarged its training facilities in Texas with new classroom space and high-tech simulators to prepare crews to handle real-life job challenges.

The training facility now sits in a separate building next to the larger ATC, which for the past several years has been the operations center for a historic expansion of the region’s high-voltage transmission network.

Xcel Energy has invested close to $1.6 billion in new trans-mission lines and substations across Texas and New Mexico

since 2011 to boost the reliability and capacity of its system. In advance of this work, the company enlarged its transmis-sion operations facilities, when it consolidated its transmission operations and training facilities into one campus. The added work also required the company to step up training for new craft employees, such as linemen, electricians, substation technicians and heavy-equipment operators. Safety is emphasized as much as skill in these training programs, where apprentice linemen and electricians work through four years of on-the-job training on their way to journeyman status. “The facility houses large, modern and professional classrooms and lab facilities, creating a central home for the advanced training necessary to keep our customers’ lights on and our folks safe,” said Mark Palacio, technical �eld safety and training supervisor. The training center provides a home of�ce for a host of

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Texas Training High-tech simulators, added classrooms prepare new employees for real-life experiences

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technical trainers and safety personnel, allowing them to work more ef�ciently, he said. That work can involve refreshing a seasoned foreman’s expertise or stepping new employees through the wide variety of apprenticeship programs that in-volve work on distribution networks, substations and transmis-sion facilities. The training encompasses everything from CPR and �rst aid to the proper use of evolving protective equipment and the microprocessor world of relay technicians.

“Customers bene�t from the improved ef�ciencies of having a dedicated training center,” Palacio said. “The center supports our company’s goal of having a safe and highly skilled workforce.”

More than 100 apprentices will use the training facility every year, he said, along with ongoing training for more than 200 journeymen. Also, the new facility already is serving ex-panded uses by providing training for the company’s Productiv-

ity Through Technology effort. The new Amarillo facility also is helping Operations with its various scheduling needs. In the past, one large room had to serve the needs of numerous groups. “Before, we were trying to get a lot out of one room,” Pa-lacio said. “Now we have the ability to schedule much better, and even hold several classes at once.” With the addition of advanced training technology, the Amarillo Technical Center joins a small number of other facili-ties with similar equipment throughout the company. “Employees in our training centers are learning safety rules, modeling our safety culture and setting their sights on a career where their safety is the most important thing they do every day,” said Bert Flynn, director of Safety. “We love the new building,” Palacio added. “It’s serving us well so far.”

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Equipment TrainingXcel Energy has enlarged its training facilities in Texas with new classroom space and high-tech simulators to prepare crews to handle real-life job challenges. At left and above, heavy equipment is “operated” at the center. Second from left is supervisor Mark Palacio.

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A new type of foundation system proved bene�cial to the quick restoration of a Minnesota transmission line taken down by a severe storm northwest of Minneapolis last summer.

The lines were energized before the end of the year after the damage required the complete rebuild of two parallel eight-mile, 345-kilovolt transmission lines, said Charlie Dienger, �eld operations supervisor with Transmission.

Crews surveyed the damage and began developing repair plans the morning after the storm. A project team formed at the time, including members from Engineering, Safety, Environmen-tal, Sourcing, Systems Operations, Construction, and Siting and Land Rights.

Current LiDAR data for the lines allowed Engineering to quickly review new structure placements, he said, and Siting and Land Rights to research access routes for removal and installation.

The new anchoring and piling system is new to the utility industry and takes the place of traditional wood-pile founda-tions. It is most bene�cial in marshy lowlands that hold water much of the time.

The system entails tripod structures that are screwed into the ground with excavators until certain torque requirements are

met. Those lengths varied between 30 and 60 feet underground.“The system worked extremely well on this project and

cut our labor costs in half,” Dienger said. “We could install the foundations ahead of time, and when the time came, it took us longer to set up the trucks than to set the towers in place on the foundations.

“That meant 20 minutes or less to set a 100-foot-tall pole,” he added. “It’s a product we plan to use again in the future.”

The project’s main obstacle involved securing materials, due to 50 miles of transmission line taken out by a storm in North Dakota and owned by another utility company. Due to shortages, vendors had to manufacture products while Xcel Energy waited.

“Materials were de�nitely the greatest obstacle to a quick restoration,” said Dan Schilling, transmission line construction and maintenance manager. “The main supplier for transmission cross-arm kits did not have adequate raw materials in stock to �ll the need.”

After studying alternatives, the team decided that building the schedule around ongoing product deliveries was the best course of action, he said.

Unseasonably wet conditions, and working in and around wetlands, made structure access another challenge. Crews used

Storm RebuildCrews use new system to rebuild transmission lines damaged in severe storm

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nearly 8,000 polymer mats for safe access to structure sites, and a helicopter assisted in pulling conductor and attaching components.

Many structures were located in marshy and wet areas. And signi�cant rainfall further complicated access, he said, as water levels on the project remained high for the majority of the rebuild of both lines.

Xcel partnered with JF Brennan to initially remove the old wood pilings. Divers were brought in to assist with the removal of the wood pilings located in wet areas.

In all, 108 structures and 718,000 feet of conductor, shield and optical ground wire were replaced. One of the lines went back in service in September, and the second was energized by the end of December.

A redundant high-voltage electric system serves customers throughout the company’s service territory. While the damage to the 345-kilovolt line in July was signi�cant, customers did not see a disruption in service due to the hundreds of miles of transmission lines that serve the area. When interruptions occur, electricity is immediately and automatically rerouted to other parts of the transmission and distribution system to ensure customers continue to receive service.

Storm RebuildAn anchoring and piling system new to the utility industry recently was used in a storm-rebuild effort in Minnesota. The new system (top) takes the place of traditional wood-pile foundations and is most bene�cial in marshy lowlands that hold water much of the time. Second from top is a photo of some of the major damage in�icted by the storm, and above and on page14, crews get the work done.

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Customer Care App

Xcel Energy’s Customer Care �eld representatives face a host of changing conditions when doing their work. But a new application tailored to their speci�c information needs is smoothing their paths, making their jobs safer and helping them to do their work in the �eld more ef�ciently. “Our new app sends information back and forth quickly so our collectors and agents can do their jobs more effectively,” said Michael Gersack, vice-president of Customer Care. “The quick updating process also enables �eld representatives to better answer customers’ questions. We are not aware of any other companies that use an app similar to ours.” The new Field Collector Mobile App provides near real-time information regarding payments received, as well as holds and arrange-ments on a customer’s account. When a customer makes a payment, the new technology updates almost immediately, and Contact Center agents know when �eld representatives have completed disconnection or reconnection service orders. “And accounts that have been resolved are removed from the app so �eld reps don’t go to a property that has already taken care of what needs to be done,” said Dawn Pittman, manager of Revenue Cycle Field Operations. The idea to develop the app �rst was explored during a Customer Care Leadership Forum. Staff then mapped out a typical day of a �eld representative and identi�ed exactly what information would be most helpful for them in performing their jobs. The application allows collectors to see the full balance on an ac-count, arrears and the disconnect amount, if applicable, as well as the last three payments amounts and dates received, she explained. It also tells collectors if the account is cash only, so they know not to accept a check. “We listed everything the app would have to do, and everything we would like it to do,” Pittman said. “IBM then designed the �rst ver-sion for us. “We went live with the �rst Customer Care order type last April,” she added. “And in July, we rolled out additional order types and are now continuing to �ne tune the application.” Company �eld reps now have immediate and detailed information about a customer’s account for the past 21 days – including all contacts made with the customer, pending balances and payments made, and previous arrangements made with the customer.

New company-created mobile app proving a boon to �eld reps

News Brief

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The application also provides Customer Care �eld reps with important information to keep them safe on the job, she added. “One of the most important bene�ts of the new app is safety,” she said. “Collectors are not going to properties that already have been resolved, as happened before, so they are avoiding potential customer con�icts.” Additional protection and safeguards are built into the application as well. Prior to arriving at a location, for example, collectors are alerted of potential hazards previously identi�ed by other employees such as ferocious dogs or situations that may require a police escort. Another bene�t of having detailed and up-to-date informa-tion on an account is that it allows �eld representatives to have productive conversations with customers and be able to answer their questions more effectively. “Collectors can see balance and payment information, so they don’t need to call in to the contact center to verify informa-tion,” Pittman said. “They also can see if an account has been �agged as a medical account, requiring special handling.” Pittman also pointed to other security features of the application. “All functions of the app are monitored by the AirWatch system that the company uses,” she said. “And Xcel Energy has the ability to wipe the phone remotely should it be lost or stolen.” Collectors initially were given iPhones preloaded with the application tailored to their jobs, and the response has been very positive. “The app provides us with a lot of helpful security infor-mation,” said Phil Lamke, Customer Care �eld representative. “Anything we need to know about dogs or dangerous obstacles on the property – those hazard codes come up front and center on the app. “And it’s interesting how people respond to the technol-ogy when we show them details about their accounts,” he said. “Previously, I could have on hand a printout of two years of a customer’s account history on a clipboard, and when I’d show it to them, sometimes they would still argue with me. “But when I show them their payment history on the app, they’re �ne with it,” he said. “It works very well. Using this is so much more ef�cient than paper. It streamlines our entire process and gives us what we need to get our jobs done.”

News Brief

Online Xtra subscription available for employees and retirees

Employee readers of Xtra can now opt out of re-ceiving the print version of Xcel Energy’s employee and retiree publication, and instead read the online version on XpressNet or via a portal on the company’s website at xcelenergy.com.

To complete the opt-out process, employees need to �ll out a form on the Xtra homep-age of XpressNet, providing their name, employee ID and com-pany email address. Those who choose to opt out will receive an email when a new issue is avail-able for online viewing.

The opt-out form and online versions of Xtra can be found by clicking on the “Xtra Online” link, located at the bottom of the XpressNet homepage. The online edition of Xtra also can be found at xcelenergy.com/Xtra – or from the home page, look under Community/Community Involvement/Retiree Directory.

In addition, retirees can opt out of receiving the print version, or request address changes regarding home de-livery of the print edition, by calling the Human Resources Service Center at 800.689.7662. They also are invited to visit the webpage noted above (or xcelenergy.com/Retir-ees) to view the latest issue, as well as a number of back issues of Xtra.

As a reminder, Xcel Energy’s main phone number is 800.328.8226. Just hit “0” for an operator to contact vari-ous departments and employees.

Ef�ciencyA new application is making collectors jobs safer and helping them to do their work in the �eld more ef�ciently. On page 16, Phil Lamke, �eld representative, and Amber Soppa, service designer, work with the app.

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Letters

Jones StationMatthew Rasmussen, operations manager at Black Dog Generating Station in Minnesota, took this photo of Jones Station in Texas at sunrise, looking down at units three and four from the top of unit two during an outage.

Editor’s Note: “Photo Op” is a standing feature in Xtra. Each issue, a photo submitted by a reader or produced by a member of Corporate Communications will be published. Please submit high-resolution digital photos to the editor at the email address listed on the back page of this publication. By submitting images for “Photo Op,” employees give Xtra permission to run the photos.

News Brief

Photo Op

Wisconsin hydro operations set generation record

Like Old Man River, Xcel Energy’s hydro operations keep rolling along and generating record-breaking clean energy for customers. In 2016, the company’s 19 hydro plants in Wisconsin generated almost 1.2 million megawatt-hours of electricity, breaking the previous record of just over 1.1 million mega-watt-hours set in 1996. The record translates to an average hourly production of 137 megawatts, which served the electric needs of approxi-mately 137,000 homes continuously for the year. “Wind and solar draw a lot of attention when it comes to renewable energy options, but hydro remains a viable part

of Xcel Energy’s clean energy mix,” said Scott Crotty, senior manager of Hydro Operations. “Over the last several years, we have invested in our plants by upgrading some of the

older units to increase capacity and ef�ciency, and to keep them as a part of our generation �eet for years to come.” In total, generating capacity from those improvements

increased output by about 8.5 megawatts. The upgrades, along with above-average precipitation in 2016, contributed to the generation record. “The heavy rains in July presented signi�cant challenges for our hydro plant operators and maintenance staff,” he said. “But they kept the plants running safely and prevented any operational issues from occurring.” Many of Xcel Energy’s hydro facilities have been �xtures on the region’s rivers for more than a century, harnessing water �ows and turning them to electricity for customers – and in many cases creating recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. In fact, this year, marks the 100th anniversary of Lake Wissota, which was created from the creation of Wissota Hydro. In a typical year, hydroelectric power – including both owned and purchased power – makes up about 7 percent of the power Xcel Energy provides its 1.7 million electric-ity customers in the Upper Midwest. Half of the electricity the company supplies customers in the region comes from carbon-free sources, including hydro, nuclear, wind, solar and biomass.

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Thanks expressed for Texas storm effortsThe following communications from thankful customers, along with many more, �owed to the company through

Facebook and Twitter, complimenting the company’s crews who worked long hours to restore power after last month’s major ice storm.

• One thing amazes me – y’all work inches away from high-voltage lines in the worst conditions there are. I’ve fought �res for 20 years and worked in state prisons for 31 years, and I wouldn’t do what you do in ideal, perfect conditions. My hat is off to you guys!

• You guys and gals are kicking some #$&! You’re not just replacing a pole or wire here or there, you are doing total reconstruction for miles and miles! You and your af�li-ates are awesome! Thank you and God bless!

• Thank you to all your service people out working in this.

• Thank you to all the Xcel Energy crews for going out in this weather to make sure we get power back on to stay warm.

• I’ve been out of power since midnight in Perryton. I’m good, but the kids ( four and �ve years old) are getting cranky, not understanding why the lights won’t work and the TV won’t come on (LOL). Be safe while y’all are hard at work! And a big thanks to all of you linemen out there last night, today and on until this passes!

• Thank you for restoring our power so quickly! You guys are amazing!

• Hats off to all your employees. We saw the convoy this morning heading east to assist in repair efforts. Thank you!

• Love to all of the supportive positive comments from everyone out in the Panhandle. Xcel Energy and its team is working hard and around-the-clock to help restore

power to those without. These men and women are battling the cold, rain and long tedious hours. Some are away from home to help our surrounding

communities this weekend. My husband is one of them. So a big thank you to all the Xcel Energy team for their diligence and hard work. Also, a big thanks to the folks who are affected by the storm and are sending along the sweet posts of gratitude for these workers. Stay warm and safe!

• Thank you to all the hard working Xcel Energy crews. Stay safe.

• Thank you for working so hard to get electricity restored for thousands here in the Texas Panhandle. We appreci-ate you!

• Bless you guys! Our power came on about 45 minutes ago and had been off since last night. I’ve seen your guys out working all day. My grandparents are still wait-ing, but I can only imagine how hard it is to do this work. Praying for you guys! Thank you for all you do. I know this is not enough credit for where credit is due, but I know your trying!

• Thank you so much to whoever was in my alley last night restoring our power! You are very, very much appreciated!

• Thank you for working so hard to keep us warm during this storm. Stay safe and know prayers are with you all.

• Our power has �nally been restored after more than 65 hours without. Thank you for your hard work and perse-verance through the worst ice storm I’ve seen in all of my 57 years of living in the Texas panhandle. Blessings to you and your workers as they continue their endeavors to restore power to others in the area.

• Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Today, I went out and saw all of the damage caused and saw crew members out there working hard. As I type this, the lights in my house have come on. Thank you, thank you, and may God keep you all safe.

• Thank you to all of the Xcel Energy crews for their hard work during this nasty, cold weather, rain and ice to keep everyone with electricity. Everyone be Safe!

• Thank you all so much for working around the clock. God bless you all and your families! We appreciate you so much! Amazing job, Xcel Energy!

• Thank you for the outage map that you put on your web-site. It is very helpful when things like this happen. Thank you, thank you!

• Thank you guys so much for your hard work. The damage is incredible, and I have only sympathy for you guys out working!

• I appreciate all of the hard, cold work you all are doing! Your willingness to work around the clock until power is on for everyone is greatly appreciated! If I had power, I’d bring y’all some coffee or hot chocolate!

• A special thanks to the Colorado and New Mexico crews. Y’all left your communities to help Texas. Whether it’s tornadoes, �res or ice, you always are there to help! You are truly appreciated for your dedication.

• Every person who has helped with this storm needs a big pat on the back with a big thank you from all the custom-ers. Xcel Energy has been awesome.

Letters

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20 XTRA FEBRUARY 15, 2017

Xcel Energy’s gas system modernization efforts recently hit a milestone in Minnesota.

After eight months of construction, the Sibley Propane Plant came back online with a new air-compressor system, replacing the vintage equipment previously used at the plant.

“Imagine a car built in the 1950s,” said Brandon Cramer, supervisor of Gas Plant Maintenance. “It might still run, but not as reliably or ef�ciently as a car built this century.

“When it comes to the gas system, reliability and ef�ciency are both key to meeting winter demand on arctic-cold days,” he added. “This plant ensures that our customers have the afford-able and reliable gas service that they expect.” The Sibley Propane Plant in Mendota Heights stores liquid propane that is blended with air when needed to support and supply the company’s gas system in the Twin Cities area. It serves as an emergency-response backup for the gas system and supply for limited-�rm customers – like a peaking plant on the electric side of the business, he said. The plant can provide 24 hours of emergency service with supplies onsite, Cramer said, but a pipeline to the company’s Wescott facility could be used in case of ongoing system need. This $6 million project is expected to pay for itself within two years. New compressors operate far more ef�ciently and will ensure that demand can be met without the need to pur-chase capacity from another gas transporter. The project replaced the process-air side of the operation by replacing compressors and corresponding equipment, he said,

and returning the facility to its original capacity. The plant’s capacity had fallen off over the years as the older compressors became less ef�cient. “The project improved the reliability of our system by ensuring the facility was returned to its original capacity,” he said. “We have also now extended the life of the plant for years to come.”

Not only will there now be more capacity at Sibley, but the propane-air mix also will be of a higher quality. When ambi-ent air is used, there is risk of moisture being injected into the distribution system, Cramer explained.

The new system at Sibley, however, incorporates dryers, which remove the moisture and ensure reliability.

“The Sibley project went smoothly and was completed in a short period of time for a project of this scale,” said Ben Hach, gas project manager for the effort. “The plant went of�ine on March 1, was then completely stripped down to the foundation and steel framework, and came back online on at the end of October, three days ahead of schedule.

“This was one of the biggest plant projects we’ve done in a long time in terms of system modernization,” he added. “Once the decision was made, we took the plant down two months later, deconstructed it in about a month, and then engineered and rebuilt it in time for the heating season. It was fast.”

Cramer added: “The entire team showed a tremendous amount of ownership and determination in ensuring a great end-product and ongoing reliability for years to come.”

SIBLEY OVERHAULMINNESOTA GAS-STORAGE PROJECT BOOSTS RELIABILITY

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21 FEBRUARY 15, 2017

Original CapacityThe project at Sibley replaced the process-air side of the operation by replacing compressors and corresponding equipment, and returning the facility to its original capacity. The plant’s capacity had fallen off over the years as the older compressors became less ef�cient.

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22 XTRA FEBRUARY 15, 2017

People

Friends We’ll MissPatricia Drury, 59, assistant corporate secretary, Corporate Compliance, General Of�ce, Minneapolis, Minn., died on Dec.10, 2016. She worked for Xcel Energy from 2006 until the time of her death.

Ray L. Dudley, 87, station manager, Zuni Station, Denver, Colo., died on Nov. 21, 2016. He worked for PSCo from 1956 to 1986.

Phillip Engler, 79, senior technical instructor, Qual-ity Academy Area, Riverside Training Center, Minneapolis, Minn., died on Nov. 30, 2016. He worked for NSP from 1970 to 1999.

Virgil A. Fasching, 78, line crew foreman, Electric Con-struction, Shorewood Service Center, Minnetonka, Minn., died on Dec. 12, 2016. He worked for NSP from 1963 to 1997.

John E. Galvin, 87, hazardous waste coordinator, System Operations, Seventh Avenue Service Center, Denver, Colo., died on Nov. 18, 2016. He worked for PSCo from 1957 to 1992.

Sam A. Guenther, 93, customer of�ce technician, Northwest Metro Division, Denver, Colo., died on Oct. 10, 2016. He worked for PSCo from 1944 to 1988.

Wanda L. Hayes, 58, lead en-ergy scheduler, Energy Trading, 1800 Larimer , Denver, Colo., died on Dec. 1, 2016. She worked for Xcel Energy from 1981 to 2014.

Lawrence Higgins, 76, �eld service consultant, HR Energy Manager, SPS Tower, Amarillo, Texas, died on Dec. 2, 2016. He worked for Xcel Energy from 1960 to 2001.

Omer D. Jackson, 84, mainte-nance supervisor, Transporta-tion, Materials Distribution Center, Henderson, Colo., died on Nov. 29, 2016. He worked for PSCo from 1955 to 1992.

Mark A. Joiner, 63, principal technical instructor, Training Support, Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant , Monticello, Minn., died on Dec. 23, 2016. He worked for NSP from 2003 until the time of his death.

Gary J. Johnson, 68, line crew foreman, Electric Construc-tion, Waconia Service Center , Waconia, Minn., died on Dec. 11, 2016. He worked for NSP from 1972 to 1994.

Evan M. Kirtright, 81, working foreman B, Gas Distribution, Emergency Repair, Lipan Ser-vice Center, Denver, Colo., died on Nov. 28, 2016. He worked for PSCo from 1959 to 1994.

Cynthia Koch, 64, �eld opera-tions supervisor, Mesa Opera-tions Center, Grand Junction, Colo., died on Dec. 8, 2016. She worked for PSCo from 1980 to 2009. Leonard L. Krause, 80, control center operator, System Con-trol Center , Chestnut Service Center, Minneapolis, Minn., died on Nov. 15, 2016. He worked for NSP from 1956 to 1994.

Harold J. Kroubetz, 90, lead plant equipment operator, Wilmarth Generation Plant , Wilmarth, Minn., died on Dec. 7, 2016. He worked for NSP from 1949 to 1984.

Gerald Lagergren, 65, equip-ment operator, Transmission, Substation Construction, Min-nesota, died on Nov. 18, 2016. He worked for NSP from 1981 to 2015.

Ina Laksis, 89, cost clerk, Pay-roll Accounting, General Of�ce, Minneapolis, Minn., died on Nov. 2, 2016. She worked for NSP from 1955 to 1988.

Eleanore Lang, 87, opera-tions clerk, Metro East Electric Services, Rice Street Service Center, St Paul, Minn., died on Dec. 1, 2016. She worked for NSP from 1951 to 1983.

Rosemary M. Leitze, 91, secretary, Of�cers and Staffs Directors, General Of�ce, Min-neapolis, Minn., died on Sept. 24, 2016. She worked for NSP from 1953 to 1987.

Clarice S. Marx, 87, records management administrator, Of�ce Information Services, General Of�ce, Minneapolis, Minn., died on Oct. 8, 2016. She worked for NSP from 1956 to 1988.

George P. O’Shea, 85, senior storekeeper, Materials Man-agement, Seventh Avenue Ser-vice Center, Denver, Colo., died on Nov. 20, 2016. He worked for PSCo from 1960 to 1993.

Roger T. Perrin, 99, assistant administrator, Of�ce Services, General Of�ce, Minneapolis, Minn., died on Nov. 16, 2016. He worked for NSP from 1937 to 1980.

John T. Pogue, 69, street light inspector, Street Lighting , Sev-enth Avenue Service Center, Denver, Colo., died on Nov. 12, 2016. He worked for PSCo from 1970 to 2009.

Henry Romero, 82, meterman, San Luis Valley Electric Opera-tions, Alamosa Service Center, Alamosa, Colo., died on Nov. 17, 2016. He worked for PSCo from 1965 to 1994.

Eugene Schultz, 81, line crew foreman, Electric, Fargo Ser-vice Center, Fargo, N.D., died on Nov. 9, 2016. He worked for NSP from 1963 to 1994.

Kenneth R. Selle, 94, trouble-man, Minnetonka, Minn., died on Nov. 1, 2016. He worked for NSP from 1948 to 1984.

Victor Slavec Jr., 99, utility-man thereafter, Transmission, Boulder Service Center, Boulder, Colo., died on Nov. 3, 2016. He worked for PSCo from 1973 to 1982.

Tim Vanderwerff, 68, senior meterman, San Luis Valley Electric Operations, Alamosa Service Center, Alamosa, Colo., died on Oct. 29, 2016. He worked for PSCo from 1970 to 2009.

Charles S. Voss, 83, trouble-man, Metro East Electric Services, Rice Street Service Center, St. Paul, Minn., died on Nov. 20, 2016. He worked for NSP from 1961 to 1993.

Wynard Walkey, 77, service specialist, Field Appliance, Colorado, died on Dec. 2, 2016. He worked for PSCo from 1992 to 2004.

RetiringMichael Bowatz ([email protected]), supervisor, Maintenance, Sherco Plant, Becker, Minn., retired on Jan. 3, 2017. He worked for Xcel energy for 39 years.

Jacquelin Brown, instruc-tional trainer, Customer Care Talent and Training, Sky Park, Eau Claire, Wis., retired on Jan. 10, 2017. She worked for Xcel Energy for 12 years.

Steve Dekan, district trouble-man representative, Eau Claire, Wis., retired on Jan. 3, 2017. He worked for Xcel Energy for 31 years.

Roberta Eggleston, operations specialist, Support, Valmont Station, Boulder, Colo., retired on Jan. 27, 2017. She worked for Xcel Energy for 31 years.

Roger Erickson, line crew foreman, Overhead, Western Avenue Service Center, Eau Claire, Wis., retired on Jan. 6, 2017. He worked for Xcel Energy for 38 years.

Feris Foley ([email protected]), mechanic journey-man, Maintenance, Tolk Station, Earth, Texas, retired on Dec. 30, 2016. He worked for Xcel Energy for 41 years.

Tom Gerace, network reliabil-ity lead, System Operations, Lookout Center, Golden, Colo., retired on Jan. 13, 2017. He worked for Xcel Energy for 40 years.

Truitt Gobin, ([email protected]), electrician working fore-man, Substations, Amarillo, Texas, retired on Dec. 2, 2016. He worked for Xcel Energy for 39 years.

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23 FEBRUARY 15, 2017

Brenda Greene, operator, Gas, Menomonie Service Center, Menomonie, Wis., retired on Dec. 1, 2016. She worked for Xcel Energy for 20 years.

Brian Guenther ([email protected]), engineer, Substation Engineering Design, Sky Park, Eau Claire, Wis., retired on Jan. 13, 2017. He worked for Xcel Energy for 27 years.

Ernest Guerrero ([email protected]), working foreman, Southern Substa-tions, Comanche Station, Pueblo, Colo., retired on Jan. 27, 2017. He worked for Xcel Energy for 41 years.

Kurtis Haeger, vice president, Resource Planning, 1800 Lar-imer, Denver, Colo., retired on Dec. 30, 2016. He worked for Xcel Energy for 34 years.

Timothy J. Henning, relay specialist/SCC in charge, Relay, Sky Park, Eau Claire, Wis., retired on Jan. 6, 2017. He worked for Xcel Energy for 35 years.

Russell Holmes, superinten-dent, Reliability Services and Overhaul Management, SPS Tower, Amarillo, Texas, retired on Jan. 9, 2017. He worked for Xcel Energy for 44 years.

Paul J. Lehman ([email protected]), manager, Com-munity Energy Partnerships, State Affairs, HQ Campus, Minneapolis, Minn., retired on Jan. 11, 2017. He worked for Xcel Energy for 39 years.

Bob Leibel ([email protected]), senior locator, Damage Prevention, White Bear Lake, Minn., retired on Feb. 15, 2017. He worked for Xcel Energy for 37 years.

Heidt Melson ([email protected]), manager, Substation Commissioning Engineering, Transmission Operations Center, Amarillo, Texas, retired on Jan. 6, 2016. He worked for Xcel Energy for 37 years.

Sammy Moore, line working foreman, Southwest Line, Amarillo, Texas, retired on Dec. 29, 2016. He worked for Xcel Energy for 39 years.

Dale Panning ([email protected]), system �eld technician, EMP, Maple Grove, Minn., retired on Jan. 13, 2017. He worked for Xcel Energy for 37 years.

Phil Pederson ([email protected]), plant equipment opera-tor, Operations, Sherco Plant, Becker, Minn., retired on Jan. 19, 2017. He worked for Xcel Energy for 30 years.

Michael F. Pighetti, working foreman, Gas Operations, Pueblo, Colo., retired on Feb. 28, 2017. He worked for Xcel Energy for 34 years.

Edward J. Raff ([email protected]), control specialist, Produc-tion, Cameo Station, Palisade, Colo., retired on Jan. 31, 2016. He worked at Xcel Energy for 35 years.

Robert M. Riesgraf ([email protected]), senior systems chemist, Testing Lab, Technical Services, Chestnut Service Center, Minneapolis, Minn., retired on Jan. 31, 2017. He worked for Xcel Energy for 37 years.

Steve Schapekahm ([email protected]), director, Metro East Design and Construction, Distribution Operations, Rice Street, St. Paul, Minn., retired on Jan. 31, 2017. He worked for Xcel Energy for 35 years.

Robert N. Schnepfe, lineman, Electric Operations, Kipling Service Center, Lakewood, Colo., retired on Jan. 31, 2017. He worked for Xcel Energy for 37 years.

Donny Schultz, lead electric meter technician, La Crosse Service Center, La Crosse, Wis., retired on Jan. 6, 2017. He worked for Xcel Energy for 38 years.

Michael L. Schwettman, ([email protected]), mainte-nance specialist, Environmen-tal Services, Cherokee Station, Denver, Colo., retired on Jan. 13, 2017. He worked for Xcel Energy for 32 years.

Randol Smith, working foreman, Southwest Service Center, Amarillo, Texas, retired on Jan. 6, 2017. He worked for Xcel Energy for 39 years.

Sue Super ([email protected]), reporting analyst, Energy Supply Finance, 414 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minn., retired on Feb. 1, 2017. She worked for Xcel Energy for 34 years.

Eddie Teague ([email protected]), senior manager, Maintenance and Operations, Cunningham Sta-tion, Hobbs, N.M., retired on Jan. 31, 2017. He worked for Xcel Energy for 37 years.

Kip Thornton ([email protected]), working foreman, Electric Meter, Distribution, Denver, Colo., retired on Jan. 6, 2017. He worked for Xcel Energy for 39 years.

William Wagner ([email protected]), technician special-ist, System Protection, Lookout Center, Golden, Colo., retired on Jan 20, 2017. He worked for Xcel Energy for 35 years.Roger Watson, storekeeper, Hayden Station, Hayden, Colo., retired on Jan. 6, 2017. He worked for Xcel Energy for 32 years.

John R. Wilson ([email protected]), senior electric designer, Design, St. Cloud Service Center, St. Cloud, Minn., retired on Dec. 30, 2016. He worked for Xcel Energy for 33 years.

Joe Ziebol, control room operator, Operations, Sherco Plant, Becker, Minn., retired on Jan. 3, 2017. He worked for Xcel Energy for 31 years.

Transmission line complete in Colorado

Xcel Energy’s new electric transmission line project from Ri�e to Parachute in Colorado is complete and energized. The 20-mile, 230-kilovolt transmission line went into service in late December. The new line provides additional transmission capacity to serve the current and anticipated oil and gas production and exploration in the area. The line crosses private property, as well as public land operated by the Bureau of Land Management.

Construction on the project began in March 2016 and included upgrade work on two connecting substations. The cost of the project was estimated at $28 million. “The project is needed to enhance the reliability of the Western Slope transmission sys-tem in order to meet anticipated load growth created by oil and gas development in Mesa and Gar�eld counties,” said George Sanders, transmission project manager. “It is imperative that uninterrupted electric service to the area is available, for both safety and everyday activities.”

News Brief

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© 2016 Xcel Energy Inc.

Upgrade your furnace, get a rebate. Upgrade your water heater, get a rebate. Upgrade your insulation, get a rebate. Xcel Energy offers up to $1500 total in rebates, and you’ll save even more energy with your home upgrades. So start saving energy and money today. Always delivering ways to save, that’s Xcel Energy. Visit xcelenergy.com for eligibility details.

WANT TO STAY WARM FOR LESS?

414 Nicollet Mall, 401-7Minneapolis, MN 55401xcelenergy.com

XTRAPublished by Xcel EnergyKevin Graham, Editor1800 Larimer Street, 16th FloorDenver, CO 80202Phone: 303.294-2417Fax: 303.294.2968email: [email protected]

Contributors: Kelly Stone Cramer, Vanessa Yohe, Wes Reeves, Troy Foos, Derek Wolden, Elizabeth Morris and Liz Wolf Green

Design: Steve Berry

PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE

PAIDDENVER CO

PERMIT NO 5064

WILDFIRE PROTECTIONProgram helps ensure reliability of the transmission system