Xcel Energy announces 2011 Efficiency Partner Awards

(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) Minneapolis - June 28, 2011 - Xcel Energy today recognized 110 Minnesota businesses and trade partners for their outstanding efforts to save energy. The Efficiency Partner Award honors businesses and trade partners for participating in Xcel Energy 2010 energy efficiency programs. Collectively, the businesses saved 37,132,395 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and 756,050 therms of natural gas in the last year – enough to supply energy for more than 5,500 homes.

The companies lowered their energy costs and also reduced their impact on the environment. They avoided producing more than 29,383 tons of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to keeping more than 5,760 cars off the road for a year.Throughout the year, Xcel Energy offers incentives, such as rebates and funding for energy analyses, to its business and municipal customers to encourage them to make energy efficient choices."Many of these conservation projects are often invisible to those not directly involved," said Karen Rhodes, Xcel Energy efficiency marketing manager. "These awards are a way to congratulate these businesses so that employees and customers realize what’s happening behind the scenes."The top 5 award recipients for electric efficiency are:

• Praxair Inc: 4.99 million kWh saved

• University of Minnesota: 4.51 million kWh saved

• HealthEast Care System: 1.23 million kWh saved

• Brown Printing Company: 1.18 million kWh saved

• RiverCentre: 1.12 million kWh saved

The top five award recipients for natural gas efficiency are:

• University of Minnesota: 202,352 therms saved

• HealthEast Care System: 117,458 therms saved

• St Cloud State University: 100,165 therms saved

• Macalester College: 99,363 therms saved

• College of St Benedict: 67,605 therms saved

All 2011 Efficiency Partners receive a plaque and window decals to display at their facility as well as the use of the Efficiency Partner logo for their promotional materials. Qualifiers for the 2012 Efficiency Partner awards will be determined early next year.  For more information on Xcel Energy’s new and existing energy efficiency programs, visit www.responsiblebynature.com.

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