GREEN-E CERTIFIES XCEL ENERGY’S WINDSOURCE RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAM

Top Rated Electric and Gas Company Earns Second Green-e Certification in Minnesota

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF (December 14, 2006)-- The Center for Resource Solutions announced today that Xcel Energy’s Windsource program offered in Minnesota is now Green-e certified. In August 2005, Xcel Energy gained Green-e certification for its Windsource program offered in Colorado and joined the largest network of renewable energy providers who offer products certified by the nation’s leading certification and verification program.

“Green-e is pleased to be working with Xcel Energy to offer even more of its customers the opportunity to purchase certified renewable electricity and support clean energy in the United States,” said Alex Pennock, Green-e associate. “Xcel Energy’s Colorado program is already on the National Renewable Energy Lab’s top 10 list of green pricing programs; its Minnesota program will undoubtedly be just as successful.”

Windsource enables customers in Minnesota to help reduce their impact on the environment while supporting the continued development and generation of wind power. The renewable energy in the Windsource program comes from wind resources located in Minnesota and meets strict Green-e standards for eligible renewable energy.

”We are excited to have Windsource Green-e certified in Minnesota,” said Howard Kiyota, Xcel Energy’s Windsource product portfolio manager. “Thanks to strong customer participation, Windsource is flourishing in Minnesota and this certification will add to that success. Green-e’s reputation and national standards ensure Xcel Energy is providing its customers with a high quality renewable energy product.”

The Green-e program is the leading renewable energy certification and verification program in the United States, with 140 participating vendors who sold more than five million Megawatt hours of renewable energy in 2005. The program provides independent, third party certification to ensure certified renewable energy meets strict environmental and consumer protection standards.

Through the display and recognition of the Green-e logo, the national symbol for renewable energy excellence, a growing number of consumers are able to easily identify high quality, certified renewable energy options, as well as everyday consumer products that are produced by companies who use renewable energy in their operations.

Providers of Green-e certified renewable energy agree to abide by the Green-e Code of Conduct, and meet strict Green-e disclosure and truth-in-advertising requirements.All Green-e marketers undergo an annual verification audit to document that they purchased or generated enough quantity and type of renewable energy to meet customer demand and marketing claims.

About Xcel Energy:
Xcel Energy is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company, with operations in eight Western and Midwestern states. Xcel Energy provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.3 million electricity customers and 1.8 million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies. Company headquarters are located in Minneapolis. For more information about Xcel Energy or to purchase Windsource, please visit the company’s website at: www.xcelenergy.com or call toll-free 1-800-824-1688.

About Green-e and the Center for Resource Solutions
Launched in 1997, the Green-e Renewable Energy Certification Program is the leading independent certification and verification program that sets standards for voluntary renewable energy options. The Green-e logo serves as national symbol for consumer protection and "seal of approval" indicating high quality, verified renewable energy. Green-e provides an easy way for consumers to find environmentally friendly energy options that fit their budget and present much less environmental impact than electricity generated primarily by fossil fuels. To learn more about certified renewable energy available in all 50 states, visit: www.green-e.org, or call 415-561-2100.

Green-e is a program of the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS), a national nonprofit organization that works to make it easier for people and organizations to use renewable energy as a tool to mitigate climate change. CRS designs and operates national and international programs that support the increased supply and use of renewable energy resources such as wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, low-impact hydroelectric power, and other clean energy sources. To learn more about CRS, visit: www.resource-solutions.org.

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