History of Xcel Energy in Timeline

Xcel Energy Inc. is a regulated electric utility and natural gas delivery company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It provides services to over 3.7 million electric customers and 2.1 million natural gas customers across eight states. The company operates through four main subsidiaries: Northern States Power-Minnesota, Northern States Power-Wisconsin, Public Service Company of Colorado, and Southwestern Public Service Co.

1904: SPS Origins

In 1904, Southwestern Public Service Co. (SPS) traces its origins to the Pecos Valley in New Mexico when Maynard Gunsell received an electricity franchise for the city of Roswell, New Mexico.

1909: Organization of Washington County Light & Power Co.

In 1909, Northern States Power Company's timeline began with the organization of the Washington County Light & Power Co.

1910: Consumers Power Co. Renaming

In 1910, H.M. Byllesby renamed the Washington County Light & Power Co. to Consumers Power Co.

1916: Northern States Power Co. Renaming

In 1916, Consumers Power Co. was renamed the Northern States Power Co.

1923: Formation of PSCo

In 1923, Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo) was formed to provide an electric generating station for the Denver area.

1924: PSCo Acquisition of Electric Companies

By 1924, Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo) had acquired most of the electric companies in northern and central Colorado.

November 1943: PSCo Becomes Autonomous

In November 1943, Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo) became an independent autonomous operation.

1973: Operation of Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plant

Since 1973, the parent company to Xcel Energy, and later Xcel Energy itself have operated the Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plant.

1991: Nuclear Waste Storage Cap

In 1991, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission capped the storage of nuclear waste on Prairie Island to 17 casks.

1994: Efforts to Remove Nuclear Waste

Since 1994, environmentalists and members of the Prairie Island Indian Community have been working to have nuclear waste transported away from their reservation.

1995: Merger to form New Century Energies

In 1995, Public Service Company of Colorado merged with SPS to form New Century Energies (NCE).

1997: Failed Primergy Merger

In 1997, the planned merger between Northern States Power and Wisconsin Energy Corporation to form Primergy fell through.

1998: Windsource Program Launch

Since 1998, Xcel Energy's Windsource program has allowed customers to designate that part or all of their electricity comes from a renewable energy source.

August 1, 2002: Lawsuit and Settlement

On August 1, 2002, Xcel Energy Inc. was sued because of engaging in "round-trip" energy trades and paid $80,000,000 in a settlement.

2005: Sale of Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power

In 2005, Xcel sold Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power to Black Hills Corporation.

October 2, 2007: Cabin Creek Fire

The Cabin Creek Fire occurred on October 2, 2007, at Xcel Energy's Hydropower Generation plant in Georgetown, Colorado.

2007: Biomass Facility

In 2007, a biomass facility was brought on line in western Minnesota, generating power using turkey litter.

June 1, 2011: Federal Charges

On June 1, 2011, Federal prosecutors opened their charges that Xcel Energy was criminally liable for the deaths of the five RPI workers. The jury found Xcel Energy not guilty.

October 2011: Wind Power Record

In October 2011, Xcel Energy set a world record for electricity from wind power, with an hourly penetration of 55.6% of production from wind.

December 19, 2011: RPI Plea

On December 19, 2011, RPI Coating plead guilty to workplace safety violations and paid $1.55 million in a cash settlement.

2011: Energy Efficiency Program Participation

In 2011, more than 2.3 million electric and 261,800 natural gas customers took part in Xcel Energy's energy efficiency programs for homes and businesses.

2011: Solar Rebate Program Suspension and Restoration

In early 2011, Xcel Energy suspended the solar rebate program before reaching a settlement a month later to restore the solar incentive program.

2015: Windsource Enrollment

In 2015, about 96,000 people were enrolled in Windsource.

2016: AGIS Initiative Announcement

In 2016, Xcel Energy announced the Advanced Grid Intelligence and Security (AGIS) initiative, for power reliability, distributed generation, and information sharing with customers.

2017: EASE Creation

In 2017, Xcel Energy partnered with the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center to create the Energy Analytic Security Exchange (EASE).

December 2018: Carbon-free electricity announcement

In December 2018, Xcel Energy announced its plan to deliver 100 percent clean, carbon-free electricity by 2050, with an 80 percent carbon reduction by 2035.

December 2018: Carbon-free Pledge

In December 2018, Xcel Energy pledged to go carbon-free, aiming for 80% carbon reduction by 2030, and 100% reduction by 2050.

2018: Utility of the Year

In 2018, Utility Dive awarded Xcel Energy its "Utility of the Year" award.

May 20, 2019: Coal Plant Closures Announced

On May 20, 2019, Xcel Energy announced its intent to close all of its remaining coal-fired plants in Minnesota by 2030.

December 30, 2021: Marshall Fire Start

On December 30, 2021, the Marshall Fire started in Boulder County and spread across Superior and Louisville counties in Colorado.

November 21, 2022: Radioactive Water Release

On November 21, 2022, a significant unplanned release of radioactive water from Xcel Energy's Monticello nuclear power plant took place, which was reported only to state and federal authorities but was concealed from the public until then.

2022: Transmission System Updates

In 2022, Xcel has proposed significant plans for updating its transmission system with a budget of $7.4 billion from 2022-2027.

2022: Colorado Power Pathway Approval

In 2022, the Colorado Power Pathway, was approved by regulators, giving Xcel $1.7 billion to expand transmission infrastructure in eastern Colorado.

March 16, 2023: Announcement of Radioactive Water Release

On March 16, 2023, Xcel Energy announced that a significant unplanned release of radioactive water from its Monticello nuclear power plant took place on November 21, 2022.

2023: Transmission Line Costs

In 2023, the Federal Energy Information Administration stated that transmission lines typically cost $1.17 million to $8.62 million per mile.

February 26, 2024: Smokehouse Creek Fire Start

The Smokehouse Creek Fire in the Texas Panhandle began February 26, 2024, with Xcel Energy acknowledging that its facilities played a role in the ignition of the fire.