XTRAD E C E M B E R 2 0 1 5 V O L U M E 1 6 • I S S U E 3

ST. PAUL ENDEAVORRenewal of backbone of gas system nearing completion

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Ben’s BlogChairman Ben Fowke shares his thoughts.

Multi-Year RequestFor the �rst time in Minnesota, Xcel Energy is seeking a three-year electric rate plan.

Guide ProjectEffort aimed at gathering, processing and interpreting vast amounts of data.

St. Paul PipelineMultiple challenges faced in replacing more than 11 miles of gas pipeline.

Energy ManagementUpgrade to complex system helping minimize outages and maximize system reliability.

Corporate ArtistArtwork by former em-ployee Ben Cooper is still sought after throughout Colorado and beyond.

PeopleThe most recent Friends We’ll Miss and Retirements.

On the CoverThe success in keeping the East Metro Pipeline Replacement project in St. Paul under budget and on schedule has come due to the hard work of many departments throughout the company. Pictured here is a crew working on a directional bore in a St. Paul neighborhood.

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(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.)

In October, I accepted Corporate Respon-sibility magazine’s Responsible CEO of the Year award in recognition of Xcel Energy’s efforts in recruiting military veterans, which is a commit-ment we all share.

The highlight of the evening for me was having nine of our military veteran employees join me at the awards ceremony in New York.

It was an honor to accept the award on behalf of all of you who work tirelessly for our customers every day. The group of veterans who joined me on the trip, whose roles at the company range from plant operations to customer engagement, gave me some great ideas that we will be looking to implement in the months to come.

Our military veterans bring extraordinary leader-ship, teamwork and dedication to their roles, exactly the kind of skills we need as we embrace the rapid pace of change in our industry.

I ask of all of you who have hiring responsibilities to take the extra step and recognize the skills that veterans have obtained in their military service and could bring to Xcel Energy as you make critical hiring decisions.

We are committed to matching veterans, active-duty military, National Guard and reservists to critical roles within the company, and we have a goal of at least 10 percent of all new hires coming from a military back-ground.

Veteran hiring, however, is just part of the overall effort on our strategic pillar to transition to a workforce ready for competition. Another tenet of that pillar is leveraging our workforce transi-tion to attract and hire a diverse talent pool that aligns with our values.

We also want to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace at Xcel Energy – one that closely mirrors the diversity of the communities we serve. We’ve been honored for our work in that area as well.

Hiring skilled military veterans and building an increasingly diverse workforce are just a few speci�c efforts that are under way. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far in our workforce transition, and I know we can do even more together.

Responsible by Nature

“ Our military veterans bring extraordinary leadership, teamwork and dedication to their roles, exactly the kind of skills we need as we embrace the rapid pace of change in our industry. ”

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MULTI-YEAR PROPOSAL

Company seeks longer-term compact in Minnesota

For the first time in Minnesota, Xcel Energy is seeking a three-year electric rate plan, with the potential of a five-year plan.

“A longer-term compact is good for customers because it gives them greater price certainty,” said Ben Fowke, chairman, president and CEO. “Policymakers bene�t, as do we, because it provides the time we need to work together on issues that will shape the future of energy delivery.

The plan is a signi�cant step in executing the �rst pillar of Xcel Energy’s strategy to improve its operating companies’ performance. The company currently has a multi-year electric plan in place in Colorado.

“Of course, rate cases are under way in most of our states,” Fowke said. “Each of them moves the ball forward in terms of getting the rules right, allowing us to recover business costs and closing the earnings gap.

“These cases take a tremendous amount of effort,” he added. “And I want to thank all of the employees who are work-ing to make them successful.” Under the plan �led with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) on Nov. 2, the company requested a rate increase over the next three to �ve years to continue infra-structure investments that provide customers with reliable and carbon-free electricity. These investments mean cleaner air, a better environment, and a more �exible and reliable energy system, said Aakash Chandarana, vice president of Rates and Regulatory Affairs, NSP-Minnesota. “Reliability is a top priority for our customers,” he said. “In order to continue to provide safe and reliable energy, we need to invest in the infrastructure that provides it. That’s what’s driving this new rate case.

“Xcel Energy is continuing to invest in our infrastructure to ensure the long-term safety, reliability and diverse energy supply needed to serve our 1.3 million Minnesota customers,” he said. “The proposal we put forward will enable us to continue modernizing our system – and deliver safe, clean, reliable energy for our customers.”

Xcel Energy is asking the MPUC for an increase of $297.1 million over three years for infrastructure and other investments. If approved, a typical residential customer’s monthly bill would increase by about $5 when interim rates take effect Jan. 1, 2016. For 2017, interim rates would increase an additional 1.5 percent, which is lower than the rate of in�ation.

If the �ve-year proposal is pursued, the 2016 rates will remain the same as the three-year proposal, but the remaining years (2017-2020) would increase around 1.8 percent annually.

Xcel Energy is proposing a price increase to support projects that improve its distribution and transmission systems and safely integrate renewable energy on its system, as well as continue to deliver carbon-free energy at its nuclear plants.

Investments related to the company’s electricity infrastruc-ture – power plants, poles and wires – make up about 86 per-cent of the proposal. In addition, about 14 percent of the total request is property taxes, to be paid to Minnesota communities.

“The majority of our proposed three-year request comes in 2016, which represents the tapering of the signi�cant invest-ment cycle that we have been in for the past several years,” Chandarana said. “And about 60 percent of our 2016 request is for investments that are already part of the service we provide, but not yet re�ected in customers’ bills.” “We’re committed to providing customers with reliable, safe energy at prices that continue to be competitive and af-fordable,” Chandarana said. “Our proposed multi-year rate plan gives customers predictable prices and helps customers plan and manage bills.” In addition to the request for additional funding, Xcel Energy’s proposal includes a new program for low-income customers and new product offerings, as well as a commitment to reach a set of performance goals around delivering clean, reliable energy and customer satisfaction. The proposal is now under review by the MPUC. A full review is expected to take up to 18 months.

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Rate PlanBen Fowke (top), chairman, president and CEO, and Aakash Chandarana, vice president of Rates and Regulatory Affairs, NSP-Minnesota, discuss what’s driving the new rate case in Minnesota.

Q&A for talking with family, friends and neighborsWhy an increase? For safe, reliable electric service. In our previous case, we indicated that our investment cycle would peak in 2016, which is what is re�ected in this case. Our current forecasts show that the need to make infrastructure investments levels off from 2017 to 2020. However, there are still some investments needed to deliver the safe, reliable and affordable electric service our customers rely on every day.

Why multi-year? For price predictability and customer options. We believe a multi-year rate plan can provide a number of bene�ts to customers, regulators, other stakeholders and our company. Customers have expressed a desire for greater certainty and predictability in their bills. It also provides customers, regulators and other stakeholders a longer-term view of our investment and management plans, and an increased ability to participate in critical long-term policy discussions. Longer-term plans facilitate being even more responsive to customers’ needs. Regulatory oversight is maintained through a variety of measures ensuring the reasonableness of our rates and service levels.

What’s the bottom line? Simply put, here’s how to make sense of it all as you talk with family, friends, neighbors and other stakeholders: The reliability of electricity is important to you. That’s why Xcel Energy is making continuous improvements to the infrastructure that serves you. And it’s more than just poles and wires – we’re making improvements to our distribution and transmission systems for continued reliability, and improving the ability to safely integrate renewable energy on our system and continue to provide carbon-free nuclear energy. Those improvements require investments, so we’re working with regulators to bring more predictability to your energy bills.

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Guide Project

Effort capturing extensive gas-system data

When gathering, processing and interpreting vast amounts of data, it’s critical to keep things “in sync” to maximize both safety and efficiency. The Guide project initiated last year by Gas Operations is aimed at doing just that.

While accurate and detailed information about the condi-tion of gas pipes and valves is key to effective maintenance, knowing the exact location of those lines and equipment also is critical for public safety in case of an emergency. Staff had identi�ed potential trouble spots in its data

and system functionality, and decided to work proactively to mitigate various issues. The group also wanted to capture ex-tensive data related to the condition of the company’s network of natural gas pipes throughout the service territory, said Darius Elder, manager of Geospatial Tech and Data Integrity.

The Guide project has involved collecting and storing that information – particularly related to standardizing software systems and using various tools to greatly improve asset-location accuracy.

The project has two components – one involving data and

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the other information technology (IT). The data portion focuses on gas valves and the alignment of valve-asset data in the company’s three main software systems for Gas.

“Capturing and processing this data assists our operations in terms of assuring that all valves are accounted for, opera-tional and inspected per our standards guidelines,” Elder said. “It also helps prepare us for the upcoming migration to SAP as part of the Productivity through Technology effort.” A vast amount of information is being captured related to gas lines and valves, such as the type and age of equipment, maintenance records, history of repairs and overall condition. The use of automated �eld tools was crucial in compiling the data and was effectively used for mobile �eld inspections of gas lines.

“Gas Distribution and Electric Distribution were already using automated tools for mobile maintenance inspections, so it made sense to also use them in our inspections of gas transmission lines,” Elder explained. “Accurate information on the condition of our gas transmission pipelines is fundamental to maximizing reliability and minimizing safety risks.” “You never want gas to be outside of a pipe,” he added. “But in the event of a gas leak, knowing exactly where the gas valves are on a line is crucial.” To that end, a central part of the Guide project is focused on improving information on the location of gas transmission pipes and valves throughout the service territory. And a sophis-ticated survey tool is allowing employees to take construction survey data and import it into Global Information Systems (GIS). Previously, that data was based on drawings translated to maps, he said, which allowed for a signi�cant margin for error. “GIS had gaps in data, so we went back to the original

construction documentation, scanned it, extracted attributes and characteristics, and then populated them into our systems,” Elder said. “So now instead of being based on a drawing, we have more much more accurate asset-location information.

“All of that information is now based on actual survey data,” he added. “This really streamlines the process of producing accurate information on pipe and valve locations.” In addition to capturing data that accurately re�ects reali-ties in the �eld of the condition and location of gas transmission pipes and valves, the Guide project also has been synching the company’s various software and operations systems – ensuring the smooth and up-to-date transfer of data between them. For example, Passport, which tracks both previous and current maintenance and corrective work, needs to synch with GIS to ensure access to accurate asset information. The Field Mobile Application can then combine data into both print and map views, so crews in the �eld can know exactly where the work will be done and what speci�cally needs to be done. The overall goal of data collection and processing, stan-dardization of systems and the use of engineering tools through the Guide Project is twofold – maximizing operational ef�ciency within Gas Operations and ensuring public safety. “Having the most accurate data available – and being able to process and share that data ef�ciently and effectively – helps improve our day-to-day operations,” Elder said. “It also helps us with compliance, due to a more accurate understanding of our gas system. “This really is about gathering all of the necessary data so we can best manage our assets and mitigate any possible safety risks,” he added. “And it is all based on detailed information that we didn’t have previously.”

Improving InformationAs part of the Guide Project, a vast amount of information is being captured related to gas lines and valves, such as the type and age of equipment, maintenance records, history of repairs and overall condition.

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Replacing more than 11 miles of gas pipeline, considered the backbone of the system that serves St. Paul, brings multiple challenges.

However, all of the things that could go wrong when working in a packed urban environment with diverse residents and nearly constant traf�c – and under tight deadline – well, simply haven’t.

Why have things gone so smoothly? One key reason is that the multiple entities involved have been working proactively and

in close coordination to anticipate and avoid potential problems.“Building a 20-inch pipeline through the heart of St. Paul

has been a tremendous effort,” said Tony Wendland, project manager with Gas Operations. “To date, the project has gone incredibly well. And the success in keeping the project under budget and on schedule has come because of the hard work of many departments throughout the company.”

They include Gas Engineering, Supply Chain, Contractor Safety, GIS, Gas Pressure, Gas Tapping, Environmental Services,

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ST. PAUL GAS UPGRADEST. PAUL GAS UPGRADECHALLENGES MET IN REPLACING BACKBONE OF CITY’S SYSTEM

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ST. PAUL GAS UPGRADEST. PAUL GAS UPGRADE

Community Relations, Damage Prevention, and Pipeline Compli-ance and Standards. One of the biggest challenges in constructing a major pipeline in a diverse, multi-ethic urban environment involves effectively communicating and planning with the residents and businesses along the route. “This complex project goes right through Minnesota’s capi-tal city, bisecting seven very different neighborhoods and district councils, four city council wards and multiple business districts,”

said John Marshall, Community Relations manager for St. Paul. “We developed a tactical and deliberate outreach plan for the community that in many ways answers our Strategic Call to Action by demonstrating stakeholder, operational and service excellence.

“It helped us connect with customers, neighborhoods and policy makers, and educate them about our nearly $70 million infrastructure investment,” he added. “Given the ethnic diversity of the communities affected, we prepared fact sheets and our

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separate website in English and four other languages – Hmong, Karen, Somali and Spanish.”

Xcel Energy also has been working with people along the route to ensure everyone has access to their homes and properties, Marshall said, along with the St. Paul police and �re departments to make sure emergency vehicles have access in case of emergencies.

This is the �rst time the pipeline has been replaced since it was installed in the 1940s and 1950s. While there have been no major outages along the line, the existing pipe was installed using compression couplings that have had a series of failures in recent years.

“We identi�ed that the pipeline was reaching the end of its useful life and developed a plan to renew it in a time frame that worked to keep customers safe, while also minimizing the impact on local communities,” said Cheryl Campbell, senior vice president of Gas.

“This project is signi�cant for our overall gas investment plan,” she added. “We have more work to do on our gas infra-structure going forward and will build off the success of this

project for that work.” The new pipeline is 100 percent welded steel, which is much more reliable, Wendland said. And two major technologi-cal advancements are being used for the new pipeline – in-line inspection capability and remote controlled valves (RCVs). “These tools allow us to effectively look at every square inch of pipeline and evaluate its health and condition, and then proactively make repairs when needed,” Wendland said. “And the RCVs will greatly improve our ability to respond to an emer-gency by allowing us to isolate sections of the pipeline even before crews are dispatched. “RCV installation has been planned to minimize the size of impacted areas and provide an opportunity to keep gas in service for areas outside of an emergency area,” he added. “Increasing the reliability of this pipeline is a huge bene�t to the company and the community, as it serves approximately 400,000 people and is the backbone of our St. Paul gas system.” The four-year East Metro Pipeline Replacement Project recently completed its third and largest phase of construction – then went on hiatus to avoid natural gas delivery issues during

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the heating season.The project is having a positive and signi�cant economic

impact on local communities, bringing jobs and increasing Xcel Energy’s property tax payments to local government. Local con-tractors are being used for much of the project – everything from inspections and as-built drawings to surveying and construction.

“Working with local contractors on this project has been a bene�t to both the community and the company,” Wendland said. “And our contractors’ local knowledge of the area and our system has proven invaluable during the construction process.”

Another major �nancial success of the project involves an overall budget that has been less than initially planned. The original budget for the four-year project was set at $69 million, he said, but current estimates predict completion of the project at a total cost of under $64 million.

One of the main challenges with this type of project is carrying out the work with minimal disruption of traf�c. In the inner-city locations around St. Paul, that has been no small task.

“Traf�c disruption for urban life is inevitable,” Wendland said. “However, we have minimized traf�c disruptions by sched-

uling major road crossings and closures on weekends. We also are working extended hours during major road closures to minimize disruption. “Our contractors also have taken great pride in quickly restoring the city streets once they have completed a section of work,” he added. “Typically, we are working in small two-block sections, so they can be quickly restored. Both city of�cials and residents have been pleased with this method of construction.” That assertion has been echoed by St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman.

“Xcel Energy has demonstrated top-quality community outreach while working on its East Metro Pipeline Replacement Project,” Coleman said. “Be it swift responses to constituent inquiries about traf�c, noise and parking – or their thoughtful communication approach to some of our more diverse, multi-lingual neighborhoods – they have truly set the bar for how to properly engage.”

PipelineThe multiple entities involved in the St. Paul effort have been working proactively and in close coordination to anticipate and avoid potential problems. Pictured above and on the previous pages are scenes from the extensive pipeline-replacement project.

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King View Jenny Weiss, planning analyst with Resource Management in Eau Claire, Wis., attended a wedding on the Majestic Star in September. When the boat approached King Generating Station along the St. Croix River, “I thought the view of the new St. Croix Crossing Bridge supports framing our plant was cool,” she said. As timing would have it, Weiss was then invited to tour the King plant last month. “In my almost 20 years at Xcel Energy, I had not been there before,” she said. The new bridge will connect highways on either side of the river, replacing the 80-year-old Stillwater Lift Bridge as a major river crossing.

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.

Third quarter earnings announced

Xcel Energy reported 2015 third quarter GAAP and ongoing earnings of $426 million, or $0.84 per share, compared with $369 million, or $0.73 per share, in the same period in 2014.

Electric and gas margins rose in the third quar-ter of 2015 primarily

due to an increase in retail electric rates, non-fuel riders, the impact of favorable weather and a lower earnings test refund in Colorado. These positive factors were partially offset by higher depre-

ciation and interest charges, lower allowance for funds used during construction and increased property taxes. Xcel Energy revised its 2015 ongoing earnings guidance range to $2.05 to $2.15 per share, compared to the previous range of $2.00 to $2.15 per share. The company also initiated 2016 ongoing earnings guid-ance of $2.12 to $2.27 per share. “Third quarter and year-to-date results demonstrate the ongoing, successful execution of our regula-tory initiatives, along with continued cost management efforts,” said Ben Fowke, chairman, president and CEO. “During the quarter, the EPA issued the �nal Clean Power Plan. “Although the regulations are groundbreaking and complex, Xcel Energy is well positioned to meet the requirements, and remains commit-

ted to delivering the clean energy options our customers want while maintaining safety and reliability and keeping costs affordable. “Speci�cally, in Minnesota we recently �led a revised resource plan that will enable us to adapt to and embrace the rapid pace of change in our industry,” he added. “Our proposal calls for a 60 percent reduction in carbon emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and will result in 63 percent of NSP system energy being carbon free by 2030. “In addition to supporting our effort to establish a long-term regulatory compact, this proposal will advance our shift to renewable energy, add cleaner natural gas-powered generation to our system, and allow us to protect reliability, jobs and community investments,” Fowke said.

News Brief

Photo Op

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An upgrade to the complex system of computer servers that make up the Energy Management System (EMS) at Xcel Energy is now helping to minimize outages and maximize system reliability in Texas and New Mexico.

Using state-of-the-art technology to closely monitor and control the electric transmission and distribution grid, a new General Electric EMS system is now up and running at SPS, said Mike Mason, director of Application Delivery and Operations with Business Systems.

The new EMS was successfully cutover from the old SPS system last month. PSCo is scheduled to install the new system in December, followed by NSP in the spring of 2016.

“Our new EMS will meet many of our previously required functions without having to customize the system,” he said. “We are going from about a 30 percent or more customized system down to just 2 percent.”

The EMS communicates with �eld devices, substations and generating units, enabling remote control in response to planned and unplanned events.

“We had several dry runs beforehand, and in the end, the cutover took just four hours – starting with generation, followed by all transmission subs, then �nishing with our distribution-based substations,” Mason said.

“It went well beyond expectations, with only a little cleanup needed afterward to address a few small items,” he added. “We didn’t have complaints from the operators, and if there was trouble, they would de�nitely let us know.” The new system helps standardize the approach to looking at the electric system. For instance, it provides a consistent view of all company substations, helping operators better manage the system. In addition, the EMS features many of the new security tools will help the company meet emerging security require-ments mandated by regulators, Mason said. “Cyber-security threats against critical infrastructure and control systems are real,” he said. “We need to ensure that we maintain the upper hand with regard to prevention and detection of any vulnerability that cyber-criminals throw at us.” Another bene�t of the new system is a better equipped backup control center, sitting ready in case of an emergency. And a new dispatching training center tied to the new EMS will provide enhanced operator training. The new system will have the capability to simulate operating conditions in order to conduct real-life training scenarios. It also will provide system operators with online resources, presented directly on their control screens.

New EMS a boon for SPS; more upgrades coming

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News Briefs

Finally, the new system provides increased alarm settings, categorized in more meaningful ways – again, allowing for improved and more ef�cient operation of the grid. And Com-mercial Operations will have better ways to handle and manage renewable energy on the system. The existing system was installed in the 1990s at NSP, and later at PSCo and SPS – long before the onset of FERC reliability requirements and the cyber-security concerns that exist today. The upgrade project responds to those issues and includes ad-ditional features to support situational awareness, training, data collection and reporting.

“The cutover went well,” said Joey Zahn, manager of Distribution Control Center in Lubbock, Texas. “We are excited about the versatility of the new system and the fact that it is Windows-based.”

That helps because the new system is more mainstream in relation to other computer applications, he said, making it much more adaptable and user friendly.

“I admit I had concerns about continue uninterrupted operations during the various phases of the process,” said Mark Schultz, manager of Generation Control and Dispatch. “But the project team did an excellent job preparing and executing the

phased cutover and communications remained intact.“With a little more training and �ne-tuning, the new GE

system will help operators improve overall situational aware-ness due to improved alarm settings and a variety of new features,” he added. The new servers that will comprise the new EMS at Xcel Energy are actually three independent but interconnected systems – one for each of the company’s three operating regions because each of the regions has an independent system to ensure total system reliability. The stand-alone feature ensures the reliability of the EMS and, in turn, the company’s overall system. “This effort required substantive effort by both our internal business partners and our technology team,” Mason said. “They have worked hard to ensure the new system meets Xcel Energy’s operational and cyber-security objectives. “Also, the maintenance agreement negotiated for this system will allow the company to remain current with both the technology and software required for our EMS needs,” he added. “Keeping current helps our customers with their busi-ness objectives, and helps leverage the new functionality that General Electric integrates into their innovative software.”

Energy ManagementA new General Electric EMS system is now up and running in Texas and New Mexico, using state-of-the-art technology to closely monitor and control the electric transmission and distri-bution grid. At right and above, scenes from the control room.

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News Briefs

Xcel Energy approved for 140 megawatts of solar in New Mexico

Xcel Energy is adding to its growing renewable portfolio with the recent approval by the New Mexico Public Regula-tion Commission for the company’s purchase of 140 mega-

watts of photovoltaic solar power from two planned developments near Roswell, N.M., which will be the largest in the state when completed. Xcel Energy has signed two

long-term purchased-power agreements with af�liates of Florida-based NextEra Energy Resources and expects to add the solar energy capacity before the end of 2016. The cost of the solar power to be purchased, aided by New Mexico’s production tax credit, starts at 3.5 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2017, making it one of the most competitive solar contracts in the nation, said David Hudson, president of SPS. This price also is below the cost of generating power

with some of the company’s older natural gas-fueled plants. “This purchase puts our Texas-New Mexico system on track to reduce our carbon emissions by 18 percent from 2005 levels by 2020, and it will help us further reduce fuel costs and pass those savings directly to our customers,” Hudson said. The two 70-megawatt facilities that will produce the con-tracted energy will be constructed on 1,500 acres of private land in Chaves County, formerly used for livestock grazing. Mike McLeod, director for customer and community relations in Roswell, said the city and county have embraced the projects because of the value they add to the local tax base, and for the potential they have in spurring other renewable-energy development in the region. “Xcel Energy has been a driver behind the renewable-energy economy in New Mexico through its signi�cant purchases of wind and solar energy generated in this area,” McLeod said. “We are fortunate that we can use New Mexico’s abundant natural energy resources and lock in such a good price for our customers.”

Company wins 2015 EV Wired Workplace Award

Xcel Energy has received a 2015 EV Wired Workplace award from Charge Ahead Colorado – an electric vehicle (EV) and infrastructure grant-funding program formed in partnership by the Regional Air Quality Council and the Colorado Energy Of�ce. The award recognizes leading companies in Colorado for their dedication and commitment to electric vehicles, the environment, energy security and their employees. Xcel Energy was one of three inaugural participants rec-ognized at the event. The company currently offers employees access to three charging stations at company locations in Colorado – 1800 Larimer, Fort St. Vrain Generating Station and Lipan Distribution Center. Xcel Energy also has 65 alternative

fuel vehicles, including EVs, in its �eet and has plans to add more in 2016. “Xcel Energy has distinguished itself as a pioneer in this area,” said Eric Van Orden, product developer in Pro-gram Strategy and Development. “We started anticipating the adoption of EVs years ago, and have made charging stations accessible and affordable for our employees – not just in Colorado but across our service territory.” Workplaces are the second most popular EV charging locations, following homes, according to a recent Idaho National Laboratory report. Company efforts to build and support new EV infrastructure in the workplace help support employee EV adoption, reduce harmful air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, and transform the region’s transportation system. In Colorado, there are currently about 250 EV charging stations available to the general public.

SAP honors Xcel Energy with Utility Transformation Award

SAP recently presented Xcel Energy with its Utility Transformation Award at its annual SAP for Utilities Con-ference in Huntington Beach, Calif., attended by more than 1,000 utility and technology professionals. “The award recognizes our Productivity through Technology [PTT] effort that focuses on transforming our company, for our strong leadership engagement, support and governance structure, as well as for our focused ap-proach and alignment toward consistent processes and standard solutions,” said Tim Brossart, area vice president with the company’s Enterprise Transformation Of�ce. As part of the PTT effort, Xcel Energy is investing in the SAP enterprise resource platform software – speci�-cally eight modules, including three that will launch in January 2016 when the new General Ledger goes live.

The other modules support Work and Asset Management functions such as planning, scheduling, asset manage-ment and work �ow, among others. Brossart, who attended the conference, accepted the award on behalf of the PTT team. “So many people had a hand in our earning this recognition,” Brossart said. “Congratulations and thanks are in order for so many contributors – from our change agents, to our teams, to our business unit leadership and our executive sponsors. In addition, we have some great partners working on our transformation, including Accenture, IBM and SAP.” “This award was created to honor the utility that has recently taken on the bold challenge to transform key portions of its business through technology and new processes,” said Lloyd Adams, national vice president with SAP for Utilities. “Based on community voting, SAP leadership input, and feedback from our customer in�uence council, Xcel Energy was the clear winner.”

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A Corporate Painter(Editor’s Note: Ben Cooper, a retired senior artist who designed a predeces-sor publication to Xtra, passed away last year at age 83. He worked for the company from 1953 to 1986.)

Prints of Ben Cooper’s artwork still circulate through antique shops and on ebay – and probably will for decades to come.

The offer was discontinued in 1976, but the work by the former employee is still sought after throughout Colorado and beyond.

The idea involved a series of color ads, printed in a variety of publications in the company’s service territory, including the Denver Post’s Sunday Empire Magazine.

At one point, 140 different publica-

tions were running the ads. Each piece featured one of Cooper’s paintings of either wildlife or an Old West scene.

“For 13 years, I couldn’t take a vacation without carrying along my canvas and paints,” Cooper said in a past company interview. “It was just amazing how the idea took off.”

Cooper started his career reading meters in 1953. But his real love was art, and he moved to the company’s advertising department in the late 1950s.

In 1964, the concept of an insti-tutional ad campaign using �ne art surfaced. The idea initially focused on ads featuring paintings of wildlife around company facilities. Published with each painting was a complimentary copy block, produced by writers in the ad department.

“We had to have something to catch readers’ interest, so we chose wildlife,” Cooper said. “But soon we expanded it to include the history of the state.

“My ranch gave me plenty of sub-jects to paint,” he added. “And before long, people were coming to me with all kinds of ideas.”

To measure readership of the ads, the company decided to run a coupon every six months, offering a free set of four of Cooper’s prints to anyone who mailed in the coupon. Determining how many sets of the 12- by 14-inch prints to have on hand soon became dif�cult.

Initially, a thousand sets were printed. They were gone in days.

Eventually, 20,000 requests for the prints would come in with each coupon

His art typi�ed the eloquent simplicity of Ben Cooper, the man

Lost Treasure (1969)

Togetherness (1972)

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A Corporate Painteroffer. A mailing service had to be hired to handle the shipping.

“After the coupon was printed on a Sunday, we would get about 2,000 letters the next Tuesday or Wednesday,” Cooper said. “We’d just pile them in wastebaskets until the mailing service came and got them.

“But with the coupons would come letters from people pouring their hearts out about their memories of the past,” he added. “It was amazing.”

One time, Cooper secretly took a photo of his father unloading hay in the winter. The eventual painting surprised his father one Sunday morning in the company’s ad in the Denver Post.

Another painting featured Old Mose, a famous grizzly bear that ended up with a reward on his head after 20 years of killing scores of cattle, horse and sheep in the South Park area of Colo-

rado. Mose weighed an estimated 1,500 pounds, and his hide measured more than 10 feet in length and was nearly 10 feet wide.

A famous hunter from Idaho �nally shot Old Mose in 1904, and Cooper’s painting captured the scene, complete with dogs circling at the foot of an angry Mose. The hide – all 100 square feet of the massive bearskin – now resides in the Museum of Zoology at the University of California-Berkeley.

In 1976, the coupon offer was stopped. And the last of the company’s western heritage ads ran in December 1978. They featured a montage of Cooper’s work over the years to honor the artist.

The �nal ad’s copy read: “There may be some rare strain of sage brush or some obscure little mountain animal peeping from pine-scented shadows that

Ben Cooper hasn’t seen, turned over in his mind and brought to life on canvas. But if there is, we don’t know about it.

“For the past 13 years, Ben Cooper has shared his vision of Colorado’s land and history with us all on these pages. It has been a vision crafted carefully and lovingly from paint, research, imagina-tion and fascination. To those who know him, his art typi�es the eloquent simplic-ity of Ben Cooper, the man.

“But all good things must come to an end. We will continue to commu-nicate with you on matters of concern to us all, of course. It’s just that now, as seems to be the case with change sometimes, it will be done with a little less poetry.

“We hope you’ve enjoyed the Ben Cooper years as much as we have. It’s been special – very special.”

His art typi�ed the eloquent simplicity of Ben Cooper, the man

Lost Treasure (1969)

The Shining Century (1969)

William Bent’s Fort (1974)

18 XTRA DECEMBER 2015

People

Friends We’ll MissDonald Aalderks81, lineman, Rice Street Service Center, St. Paul, Minn., died on Sept. 11, 2015. He worked for NSP from 1971 to 1988.

James W. Bain84, turbine operator, Arapahoe Gen-erating Station, Denver, Colo., died on Oct. 1, 2015. He worked for PSCo from 1968 to 1990.

Lawrence J. Barta84, garage mechanic, Faribault Service Center, Faribault, Minn., died on Oct. 2, 2015. He worked for NSP from 1977 to 1996.

Mary Ann L. Bartlett84, telephone operator, Facilities Man-agement, Minnesota, died on Dec. 18, 2014. She worked for NSP from 1967 to 1990.

Bernam F. Delong82, chief operator, Maintenance, Power Production-Hydro, Wisconsin, died on Oct. 7, 2015. He worked for NSP from 1956 to 1989.

Everette W. Erickson89, meter reader superintendent, Metro West Meter Reading, Chestnut Service Center, Minneapolis, Minn., died on Oct. 11, 2015. He worked for NSP from 1957 to 1988.

Louis G. Ernst89, facility locator, Colorado, died on Aug. 18, 2015. He worked for PSCo from 1948 to 1986.

Irwin Flaten87, lineman in charge, Lakeland, Minn., died on July 5, 2015. He worked for NSP from 1952 to 1986.

Robert C. Gardner88, major account representative, Marketing, Minnesota, died on May 01, 2015. He worked for NSP from 1955 to 1987.

‘Called to go out and help with the troubles of many’

Dear Editor:After reading the poem “My Company” by Bob Nielsen in the October issue

of Xtra, I had to sit down and write to you, remembering all the times my husband worked for “his company.”

My husband [Calvin Newcomb] worked for power companies from 1949 until 1990 – out of the business in Florida for three years and in the U.S. Marines for four years – for a total of 34 years.

I am eternally grateful to Xcel Energy/NSP for all the support this company has given to us through the years, and now as a surviving spouse of a retired and deceased (2003) employee. Cal was a dedicated, committed, loyal employee, and his company appreciated all of his hard work.

I remember all of the Christmas Eve nights when the power went out, and off he would go. And I remember all of the storms when he was called to go out and help with the troubles of many.

I recall the tornado that hit Fridley – so many nights. The phone would ring, but he always answered the call, even after he had worked all day.

Cal loved what he did, and his company appreciated his dedication. For that, I am thankful to “his company.”

—–Concetta (Connie) Newcomb, Edgewater, Fla.

Camp Don Harrington in Texas sends thanks

Dear Xcel Energy:We recently had a storm come through Camp Don that did lots of damage to trees

and damaged at least two buildings on the camp proper, south of Amarillo. Our water-well building that contained an outdated chlorine system (disconnected 20 plus years ago) was destroyed.

That building had the main power line attached to it, and when our camp ranger found it, the lines were on the ground and we had no power to the well pump, which meant no water being pumped into the tank.

I called your outage number and explained the situation – and even though they had lots of other outages, they were professional and quick to respond to the camp. Once they disconnected the wires and made them safe, we pressed on with getting our part cleaned up and ready for reconnection.

The next day, I called your company again to let you know we were ready to get power turned on, the meter connected, etc. Again, everyone was very professional, and they were out within an hour or so.

I’m telling you this because I thought both the call center and local SPS folks deserve a pat on the back for their customer service, professionalism and the under-standing they exhibited to me and the camp staff.

—–Scott Kilian, program director, Golden Spread Council, Boy Scouts of America, Amarillo, Texas

Letters

19 DECEMBER 2015

John M. Haley84, facilities operation supervi-sor, Corporate Facilities and Real Estate, Mesa County Operations Center, Grand Junction, Colo., died on Oct. 11, 2015. He worked for PSCo from 1952 to 1994.

Myron Hustad84, lead plant equipment opera-tor, Minnesota Valley Generating Plant, St. Cloud, Minn., died on Oct. 1, 2015. He worked for NSP from 1954 to 1989.

Ralph R. Jacobs88, lead machinist, Sherco Generating Plant, Becker, Minn., died on Oct. 9, 2015. He worked for NSP from 1953 to 1985.

Robert A. Jung96, foreman, Newport Service Center, Newport, Minn., died on Sept. 29, 2015. He worked for NSP from 1946 to 1980.

W. R. Knox78, shift supervisor, Operations, Jones Station, Lubbock, Texas, died on Oct. 20, 2015. He worked for SPS from 1962 to 2005.

Robert L. Miller81, gas foreman, Gas Opera-tions/Construction-South, Com-merce Street, La Crosse, Wis., died on Oct. 11, 2015. He worked for NSP from 1955 to 2000.

Donald L. Morris61, utility worker B, Gateway Service Center, Aurora, Colo., died on Oct. 7, 2015. He worked for PSCo from 2003 until the time of his death.

Glenn G. Olson86, Minnesota, died on Jun. 17, 2014. He worked for NSP from 1951 to 1991.

Steven E. Peden68, shift supervisor, Sherco Plant, Becker, Minn., died on Sept. 6, 2015. He worked for Xcel Energy from 1970 to 2005.

Ronald L. Ramer75, Electrical Distribution Under-ground Construction, Seventh Avenue Service Center, Denver, Colo., died on Sept. 28, 2015. He worked for PSCo from 1960 to 1997.

George L. Rogers93, meter reader, Eau Claire, Wis., died on Sept. 19, 2015. He worked for NSP from 1962 to 1984.

Lorraine B. Tressel80, Minnesota, died on Oct. 01, 2015. She worked for NSP from 1956 to 1992.

Edward T. Yelle96, warehouseman, Indianhead, Wis., died on Sept. 15, 2015. He worked for NSP from 1955 to 1980.

Kenneth M. Zander83, telephone system technician, Minot, N.D., died on Oct. 12, 2015. He worked for NSP from 1956 to 1989.

RetiringRandy BishopElectronic Measurement, Materi-als Distribution Center, Hender-son, Colo., retired on Sept. 30, 2015. He worked for Xcel Energy for 32 years.

Glenn Brownplant supervisor, Electrical and Instrument Department, Hayden Station, Hayden, Colo., retired on Nov. 19, 2015. He worked for Xcel Energy for 35 years.

Mark DelHierro(mldhiozz@msn.com), �eld credit representative, Collections, Arvada Service Center, Arvada, Colo., retired on Nov. 1, 2015.

Tomas Flores(Bomboli222@aol.com), senior rate analyst, Revenue Requirements, 1800 Larimer, Denver, Colo., retired on Oct. 10, 2015. He worked for Xcel Energy for 31 years.

Edward Horgan(horgane@aol.com), principal specialty engineer, Transmission Planning, Amarillo Tower, Ama-rillo, Texas, retired on Nov. 4, 2015. He worked for Xcel Energy for �ve years.

Anita Hunnicuttwork order specialist, Busi-ness Finance, Amarillo Tower, Amarillo, Texas, retired on Oct. 14, 2015. She worked for Xcel Energy for 30 years.

Kenneth J. Karwoski(alineman20@yahoo.com), district troubleman, Overhead, Viroqua, Wis., retired on Oct. 30, 2015. He worked for Xcel Energy for 34 years.

Brian Mosersenior gas systems control-ler, Gas Load Control, Lookout Center, Golden, Colo., retired on Nov. 11, 2015. He worked for Xcel Energy for 37 years.

David E. Pouppirt(davepouppirt@comcast.ue), overhead working foreman, Electric Line, Lakewood, Colo., retired on Oct. 16, 2015. He worked for Xcel Energy for 34 years.

James L. Rootes(farmalldork@yahoo.com), prin-cipal engineer-analyst, Program Engineering, Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant, Monticello, Minn., retired on Sept. 30, 2015. He worked for Xcel Energy for 33 years.

Terry L. Sheffler(valyn182@sbcglobal.net), production specialist III, Mainte-nance Resources and Compli-ance, Amarillo Tower, Amarillo, Texas, retired on Aug. 14, 2015. He worked for Xcel Energy for 36 years.

John Stinson(john.stinson@outlook.com), senior accounting �nancial ana-lyst, Capital Asset Accounting, Amarillo, Texas, retired on Nov. 16, 2015. He worked for Xcel Energy for 40 years.

Nona Whitley(pnwhitley@aol.com), credit supervisor, Residential Credit, Amarillo, Texas, retired on Dec. 18, 2015. She worked for Xcel Energy for 26 years.

Jerry Winslowprincipal environmental engi-neer, Environmental Services, 414 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minn., retired on Nov. 11, 2015. He worked for Xcel Energy for 27 years.

NoticesAn Xcel Energy/NSP employee and retiree luncheon will be held Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, at 11:30 a.m. at Harold’s Country Kitchen, located at 2111 East Hwy 83, Donna, Texas. For more information, please call 651-388-9890 or 956-581-8084.

Online Xtra subscriptionnow available

Employee readers of Xtra can now opt out of receiving the print version of Xcel Energy’s employee and retiree publica-tion, 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 homepage 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 available 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 bot-tom 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 (or visit xcelenergy.com/Retirees).

Retiree information

Retirees can opt out of receiving the print version, or request address changes regarding home delivery of the print edition, by calling Human Resources’ Service Center at 800-689-7662.

They also are invited to visit the webpage noted above to view the latest issue, as well as a number of back issues of Xtra. In addition, and as a reminder, Xcel Energy’s main phone number is 800-328-8226. Just hit “0” for an operator to contact various departments and employees.

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Xcel Energy reminds you that natural gas meters that become covered with ice and snow can lead to a very dangerous situation. At the very least, they could cause an interruption of your gas service. So for the sake of safety, keep them clear.

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XTRAPublished monthly by Xcel EnergyKevin Graham, Editor1800 Larimer Street, 16th FloorDenver, CO 80202Phone: 303-294-2417Fax: 303-294-2968email: Kevin.Graham@xcelenergy.com

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