Xcel Energy Awarded “Champion of Energy Efficiency in Industry” from ACEEE

(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) MINNEAPOLIS - July 28, 2011 - The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has named Xcel Energy one of four winners of the organization’s prestigious “Champion of Energy Efficiency in Industry” Award. The award was presented last night during the annual ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Industry.

The ACEEE Champion of Energy Efficiency in Industry award, presented to outstanding leaders involved with advancing industrial energy efficiency, recognize leadership and accomplishment in the field. Winners were selected based on demonstrated excellence in leadership, program implementation, energy policy, and private sector initiatives.

Xcel Energy was nominated for “creativity and persistence in delivering exemplary energy efficiency programs to industrial customers, and for providing leadership and support to the electric and natural gas utility industry in the design and implementation of industrial energy efficiency programs.”

According to the ACEEE, Xcel Energy has for many years been noted as among the best designed and most responsive to industrial customers’ needs, establishing strong working relationships between program staff and their customers. As new program designs have emerged, Xcel Energy has been among the pioneers who help define ‘best practices’ in these programs.

“We’re honored to be recognized by the ACEEE with such a prestigious award,” says Deb Sundin, Director of Demand Side Management and Renewable Strategy and Planning for Xcel Energy. “This award is a testament to our company’s long-standing commitment and dedication to environmental leadership, as well as our business customers, who continue to embrace energy efficiency and incorporate the practice as a fundamental strategy for success.”

Other elements recognized in the award include establishing strong working relationships between staff and their customers and for providing program continuity, which helps clients incorporate investment planning.

The other 2011 “Champion of Energy Efficiency in Industry” winners are:

• Professor John Kelly Kissock, Ph.D., P.E. and leader of the Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) at the University of Dayton for his leadership in the implementation of industrial energy efficiency, and a career of educating the next generation of industrial energy efficiency leaders.

• Industries of the Future (IOF) of West Virginia for leadership and persistence in delivering exemplary energy efficiency programs to industrial customers, and serving as a role model and mentor for other state industrial energy efficiency programs.

• Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) Industrial Program for innovation in the design of industrial energy efficiency programs, and collaboration with industrial customers in the Northwest to transform the market for industrial energy efficiency, charting a path for other regional programs.

The 2011 Champions represent the “best of the best” in industrial energy efficiency. They were nominated by their peers and selected by the Awards Committee of ACEEE’s Board of Directors. Selection criteria were based on the nominee’s impact, innovation, persistence, and leadership in the energy efficiency field. Read more about past years' awards at http://aceee.org/about/awards.
______________________________________________

About Xcel Energy:

Xcel Energy is committed to reducing its impact on the environment by reducing emissions, promoting conservation and using renewable energy. Xcel Energy is the No. 1 wind power provider in the United States, according to the American Wind Energy Association. Visit www.xcelenergy.com for more information.

About ACEEE:
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy is an independent, nonprofit organization that acts as a catalyst to advance energy efficiency policies, programs, technologies, investments, and behaviors. For information about ACEEE and its programs, publications, and conferences, contact ACEEE, 529 14th Street, N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20045 or visit http://aceee.org.

XCEL15666