Xcel Energy, New York Attorney General Resolve Carbon Disclosure Issues

MINNEAPOLIS--(Business Wire)--
Xcel Energy and New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo today
announced an agreement that resolves greenhouse gas disclosure issues
raised by Cuomo last fall.

"Xcel Energy voluntarily has reduced its carbon emissions by large
amounts in recent years and plans to continue making significant
reductions in CO2 emissions in the future," said Dick Kelly, chairman,
president and CEO.

"We previously provided detailed information concerning the
expected impact of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions
regulations on our operations, and under this agreement we will make
even more detailed disclosures. This agreement will enhance our
already aggressive efforts to be responsible environmental stewards."

In a Sept. 14 subpoena, Cuomo sought information about Xcel
Energy's public disclosures in filings with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission regarding the expected impact of climate change
and the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions on the company's
operations, financial condition and plans to construct a new
coal-fired electricity generating unit at the Comanche station in
Pueblo, Colo.

In response, Xcel Energy provided documents including its 2006
response to a questionnaire from the Carbon Disclosure Project, an
independent not-for-profit organization that solicits information and
makes corporate responses publicly available; its Triple Bottom Line
report, which describes the company's social, environmental and
economic impacts, and information filed with the Colorado Public
Utilities Commission about the Comanche plant addition.

"Xcel Energy represents that it has voluntarily reduced its GHG
(greenhouse gas) emissions by a cumulative total of over 18 million
tons since 2003," the agreement states.

"Xcel Energy is the largest utility provider of wind energy in the
United States, according to the American Wind Energy Association. The
Company also has announced plans to expand its renewable energy
portfolio by at least 6,000 MW (megawatts) of additional renewable
electric generating capacity by 2020."

Without admitting or denying any violation of law or wrongdoing,
Xcel Energy agreed to resolve the attorney general's investigation
voluntarily by agreeing to expand and/or continue to provide a
discussion of climate change and possible attendant risks in its 10-K
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The disclosures are to include analyses of financial risks from
current and probable future laws, from litigation and from physical
impacts of climate change, and strategic analysis of climate change
risk and emissions management.

Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) is a major U.S. electricity and natural
gas company with regulated 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.
More information is available at www.xcelenergy.com.

Xcel Energy
Media Relations, 612-215-5300
www.xcelenergy.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008