Xcel Sells Wind-Energy Credits To California

DENVER (AP) - The Colorado Public Utilities Commission is deciding how Xcel Energy should use millions of dollars' worth of wind-energy credits it sells to California.

Xcel has more wind generation than it needs to meet Colorado's renewable energy standard. It sells the excess as credits to help others meet renewable-energy requirements.

Last year Xcel sold $33.6 million worth of renewable-energy credits to California and returned about 54 percent of that to customers.

The Denver Post reports Xcel has proposed keeping 20 percent of future sales, returning 80 percent to customers, and using money to support renewable-energy programs. The state Office of Consumer Counsel is seeking 85 percent for customers, with some money going toward lowering customers' bills.

The PUC staff proposes gradually shrinking Xcel's share from 20 percent to 14 percent.

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