Climate Action

Background

Climate change is an increasingly important issue in this country and around the world. To address this concern, U.S. lawmakers have stepped up efforts to regulate greenhouse gases. At the federal level, it is a presidential and congressional priority, and at the state level, there are 36 U.S. states today with climate policies and 29 with renewable portfolio standards. From the regulatory side, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is working to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. We believe that within the next few years, greenhouse gases will be regulated.

At Xcel Energy, the fossil fuels we use to make electricity emit greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide. Rather than waiting for regulation, we are reducing greenhouse gases today. Our customers, communities, shareholders and employees expect us to take action. We also know through past experience that taking early action and voluntarily reducing emissions is a better way to manage costs, which ultimately benefits everyone.