Xcel Energy has reached a settlement with environmental groups that puts it a step further on its ambitious path to zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Xcel Energy's Northern Michigan Power division provides electricity to 9,000 customers in Michigan.
The utility also serves customers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, Texas and New Mexico.
Mark Stoering, President of Xcel Energy - Michigan and Wisconsin, says the utility proposes to fast-track the retirement of Xcel's remaining coal-burning power plants by 2030.
That's ten years sooner than Consumers Energy and DTE Energy plan to shut down their last coal-burning power plants.
He says the utility will be about 65% emission free by 2024, relying mainly on extensive wind and solar assets.
"Not only is it the right thing to do from an environmental stewardship standpoint," says Stoering, "but it's increasingly making more and more economic sense as well."
The plan will be submitted to the Minnesota Public Utilities by July 1, with a decision expected on the proposal some time next year.
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