Xcel Energy Plans to Reintegrate Nuclear Operations into Its Energy Supply Business Unit.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Xcel Energy officials said today they plan to reintegrate nuclear operations into Xcel Energy's energy supply business unit. Under the plan, Xcel Energy will apply to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to transfer the operating licenses for the Prairie Island and Monticello nuclear plants from Nuclear Management Co. to Northern States Power Co.-Minnesota, an Xcel Energy operating utility.

The move comes in the wake of We Energies' recent sale of Point Beach Nuclear Plant to FPL Energy and transfer of the Point Beach plant's operating license from NMC to FPL, which left Xcel Energy as the sole member of NMC. NMC will continue operating Xcel Energy's Prairie Island and Monticello plants until the NRC approves the license transfers, which are expected to occur in 2008.

After the license transfers are complete, NMC employees will become Xcel Energy employees. Those at NMC headquarters in Hudson, Wis., will move to Xcel Energy offices in the Twin Cities.

"NMC has been an excellent operator of our nuclear plants, therefore I believe reintegrating nuclear operations into Xcel Energy provides us the best value and will strengthen our overall operations," said David Wilks, president of Xcel Energy's energy supply unit.

NMC was formed by NSP-Minnesota, now an Xcel Energy subsidiary, and several other utilities in 1999 and began operating nuclear plants in 2000.

Xcel Energy (NYSE:XEL) is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company with regulated operations in eight Western and Midwestern states. Xcel Energy provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.3 million electricity customers and 1.8 million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies. Company headquarters are located in Minneapolis. More information is available at www.xcelenergy.com.