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XCEL ENERGY AND ITS FOUNDATION TO DONATE $1.5 MILLION FOR COVID-19 RELIEF

Xcel Energy has announced that as part of its plans to dedicate more than $20 million to new corporate giving, including COVID-19 relief, Xcel Energy and the Xcel Energy Foundation will donate the first $1.5 million in the eight states it serves before the sale of the Mankato Energy Center closes later this summer. The company previously announced last that the net proceeds from that sale, expected to be more than $20 million, will go to short and long term corporate giving, including COVID-19 relief.

As part of the donation, the Xcel Energy Foundation is matching employee donations up to $1,000 at a rate of two dollars for every dollar donated, tripling the amount of the gift, up to $300,000. Within a week, employees donated $112,000 dollars. With the Foundation match of more than $223,000, that’s a donation of nearly $335,000. 
One million dollars of the money donated by Xcel Energy and its foundation is designated for existing nonprofit partners along with organizations that address food insecurity and those that provide disaster relief, including local chapters of The United Way and regional food banks. Xcel Energy serves communities in Minnesota, Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota and Michigan.

WE ENERGIES AND WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE FOUNDATIONS COMMIT $1 MILLION TO COVID-19 RELIEF EFFORTS

We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service have announced they are contributing $1 million through their charitable foundations to help communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The foundations will provide grants to nonprofit organizations supporting front-line efforts — primarily hospitals, first responders and food pantries.

“At a time like this, our commitment to the safety and welfare of our employees and the communities we serve has never been more critical,” said Kevin Fletcher, president and CEO — WEC Energy Group. “Our foundations have supported organizations serving our communities for decades. It is in that tradition that we are driven to support these vital services as they face unprecedented challenges.”

To increase the impact of the relief effort, the foundations are earmarking $300,000 of the $1 million to match, dollar for dollar, the personal donations made by employees to organizations fighting the effects of the pandemic.

ALLIANT ENERGY DONATES $2 MILLION TO HOMETOWN CARE ENERGY FUND

Alliant Energy is making a $2 million donation to its Hometown Care Energy Fund. The fund assists customers that need financial help to pay their bill. Alliant Energy knows that many customers may face financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic. This contribution shows the company’s ongoing commitment to serve customers in Iowa and Wisconsin and help those in need. The fund is supported annually with funds from Alliant Energy shareowners as well as voluntary contributions from employees, retirees and customers.

PEOPLES GAS AND NORTH SHORE GAS CONTRIBUTE MORE THAN $1 MILLION TO CHICAGO SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

Chicago sited Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, parts of WEC Energy Group, will contribute more than $1 million in funding, as well as personal protective equipment, to help 42 community organizations across the region provide vital services in response to the COVID-19 emergency.

WEC ENERGY GROUP DECLARES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND

The Board of Directors of WEC Energy Group has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 63.25 cents per share on the company’s common stock. The dividend is payable June 1, 2020, to stockholders of record on May 14, 2020. This marks the 311th consecutive quarter — dating back to 1942 — that the company will have paid a dividend to its stockholders.

XCEL ENERGY NAMES NEW CHIEF NUCLEAR OFFICER

Pete Gardner has been named Xcel Energy’s Chief Nuclear Officer. He succeeds Tim O’Connor who has held the role since 2013 and was promoted to Chief Generating Officer of Xcel Energy, effective March 31.

XCEL ENERGY 2019 YEAR-END EARNINGS REPORT

Xcel Energy has reported 2019 GAAP and ongoing earnings of $1,372 million, or $2.64 per share, compared with
$1,261 million, or $2.47 per share in 2018. Earnings reflect higher electric margins primarily due to non-fuel riders and
regulatory rate outcomes, higher natural gas margins and expenses, increased depreciation and interest expenses.
“We delivered strong financial results again in 2019, with earnings at the upper end of our guidance range. Xcel
Energy continues to deliver consistent and solid performance, meeting or exceeding earnings guidance for the 15th
consecutive year,” said Ben Fowke, chairman, president and CEO of Xcel Energy.

“We are proud of our continued progress in leading the clean energy transition on our path to 80% carbon reductions
by 2030 and 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050, all while providing great value for our customers, communities,
and shareholders. We took important steps on that journey this past year, completing three major Steel for Fuel wind
projects, which contribute to the almost 4,700 megawatts of additional wind expected on our system by 2021. We
begin the new year well-positioned to deliver on our financial objectives in 2020 and beyond.”

WEC ENERGY GROUP POSTS STRONG 2019 RESULTS

WEC Energy Group has reported net income of $1.13 billion, or $3.58 per share, for 2019. This compares to earnings of
$1.06 billion, or $3.34 per share, for 2018. For the fourth quarter of 2019, WEC Energy Group recorded net income of
$243.9 million, or 77 cents per share. This compares to earnings of $205.0 million, or 65 cents per share, for the fourth
quarter of 2018.
“From network reliability to customer satisfaction to earnings and dividend growth, the company continues to
perform at a high level,” said Gale Klappa, executive chairman. “And we’re poised for progress in 2020 as we work to
deliver a clean energy future that is safe, reliable and affordable.”
During the fourth quarter of 2019, two WEC Energy Group utilities — We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service —
were honored for superior reliability of their electric delivery networks. This is the ninth consecutive year that We
Energies has been named best in the Midwest and the first time Wisconsin Public Service has been recognized.

WEC ENERGY GROUP TO INCREASE OWNERSHIP INTEREST IN THREE MIDWEST WIND FARMS

WEC Energy has announced that the company has agreed to increase ownership interest from 80 percent to 90
percent in three Midwest windfarms: Blooming Grove Wind Farm, Thunderhead Wind Energy Center and the Upstream
Wind Energy Center. The total investment is $118 million for an additional 75 megawatts of capacity.
“This agreement marks another step forward for the energy infrastructure segment of our five-year capital plan,”
said Gale Klappa, executive chairman of WEC Energy Group. “The plan calls for deploying $1.8 billion in high-quality
projects that will serve strong, vibrant companies for years to come.”
Invenergy, a leading developer and operator of sustainable energy solutions, is currently building the Blooming Grove
and Thunderhead projects which are expected to achieve commercial operation by the end of 2020. The Upstream
Wind Energy Center, also developed by Invenergy, began service in January 2019. All three wind farms have long-term
offtake agreements with affiliates of investment-grade multinational corporations.
Under the tax rules, the WEC Energy Group investment is expected to be eligible for 100 percent bonus depreciation
and production tax credits. The transactions are subject to receiving all necessary regulatory approvals

XCEL ENERGY ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS

Ben Fowke, Xcel Energy’s Chairman, President and CEO, has announced that Bob Frenzel will be named President and Chief Operating Officer and that Brian Van Abel will be the company’s Chief Financial Officer, both effective March 31. As President and COO, Frenzel will have oversight for Xcel Energy’s four operating companies, including the company’s transmission, distribution and natural gas operations. He will continue to report to Fowke. 

ATMOSPHERIC CARBON REDUCED LAST YEAR

Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. fell 2.9 percent last year, according to a new report. The International Energy Agency (IEA) found that the U.S. decline was the largest, at 140 million tons, of any country. It also noted that since 2000, U.S. emissions have decreased nearly one gigaton. “A 15 percent reduction in the use of coal for power generation underpinned the decline in overall US emissions in 2019,” the report said. Globally, energy-related carbon dioxide emissions flat lined at about 33 gigatons following two years of increases.

ALLIANT ENERGY ANNOUNCES 2019 RESULTS

Alliant Energy Corporation has announced U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and non-GAAP consolidated unaudited earnings per share for 2019 and 2018 as follows:

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