Xcel Energy announces plan for zero-carbon electricity by 2050

Environment Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Today, Xcel Energy announced a plan to reduce carbon emissions 80 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050. Timothy Schaefer, director of Environment Minnesota, issued the following statement:

“Renewable power is here. It’s been growing since Minnesota’s first commitment in 2007 to a future powered by clean energy. There’s no turning back. We’re confident that the people of Minnesota can meet all of their electricity needs with clean, renewable energy.”

“And it’s not just Minnesota. Since our initial foray into clean energy, states as large as California and as small as Hawaii have committed to getting rid of fossil fuels.

“Xcel’s announcement shows that the writing’s on the wall for fossil fuels and dirty energy. The consequences of inaction keep getting worse, so we need to do all we can as fast as we can. This announcement sets the bar for utilities in Minnesota and nationwide. Environment Minnesota applauds Xcel’s new goals and we’re calling on Minnesota’s other utilities to follow suit.

“While this announcement is good news, it also highlights the gap between where we are and where we need to be. We must bring Minnesota’s renewable energy standard (RES) in line with reality: a 31.5 percent RES for Xcel and 26.5 percent for other investor-owned utilities simply isn’t good enough now. Minnesota should follow Xcel’s lead and establish a standard of 85 percent carbon free energy by 2030 at minimum, while also making significant, transformative investments in solar, wind, energy storage, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.”