A Lot Of Wind To Be Generated For Conventions

Xcel Energy announced plans Monday to power both the Democratic National Convention in Denver and the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., with wind power.

“We are pleased to provide clean, renewable power to the conventions because we want to display for the nation’s elected leaders and delegates what a 21st century utility can look like,” said Dick Kelly, chairman, president and CEO of Xcel Energy.

Power for the convention in Denver will be generated at Xcel’s Ponnequin Wind Facility near the Colorado-Wyoming boarder, with additional power coming from a 10-kilowatt solar installation at the Pepsi Center itself. That installation is part of Xcel program which provides incentives for customers to install solar panels.

In St. Paul, where the convention is being held at the Xcel Energy Center, power will come from a wind farm on southwestern Minnesota’s Buffalo Ridge. Additional power for the RNC will come from a solar installation at the High Bridge Generating Station in St. Paul.

“Energy policy is an issue that both political parties should discuss at their conventions and beyond,” Kelly said. “We are ahead of the curve in our policies and actions because we are dedicated to reducing our impact on the environment and providing the leadership to make a difference in the communities we serve.”

Xcel claims this is the first time the same electric utility will serve both conventions in separate cities in the same year.