Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy, the company with wind farm operations in numerous Mid-west states and transmission lines in Oklahoma claims it is a step closer to achieving its carbon-reduction goals.
The company announced this week it cut carbon emissions 35 percent and is on track to reach or exceed its goal of reducing carbon emissions 60 percent by 2030 from 2005 levels.
“We’re on a path to provide a more sustainable, prosperous energy future and believe reducing carbon emissions while enhancing affordability is a tremendous benefit for the customers and communities we serve,” said Ben Fowke, chairman, president and CEO of Xcel Energy.
Xcel Energy surpassed the U.S. commitment under the Paris Climate Accord in 2016, which called for a 26 to 28 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2025. It’s now working to achieve a 50 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2022 from 2005 levels.
The company plans to continue reducing its environmental footprint with an energy mix that is projected to be 60 percent carbon free in 2022 and much of the energy will come from wind power. It has plans to build a 12 new wind farms in seven states and recently won approval for massive new wind farms in eastern New Mexico and western Texas.
In a report this week, Xcel said 40 percent of its carbon-free electricity was provided to customers last year with half coming from wind energy. It also said there has been a decline in the average Xcel Energy residential electricity and natural gas bill over the past five years.
Emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are down more than 70 percent and water consumption dropped 40 percent from 2005 levels.
