Utility Automation & Engineering T&D - Dick Kelly named chairman of Xcel Energy board

Minneapolis, MN, Dec. 14, 2005 -- Richard C. (Dick) Kelly, president and chief executive officer of Xcel Energy, has been elected chairman of Xcel Energy Inc.'s board of directors. Kelly replaces Wayne H. Brunetti, who retires as chairman of the board this month.

Kelly is a long-term employee of Xcel Energy and its predecessor companies, New Century Energies (NCE) and Public Service Co. of Colorado (PSCo). While in college, he worked as a meter reader for Public Service Company of Colorado. In 1968 he joined the company's auditing department. He subsequently held a variety of positions and was named treasurer of the company in 1986; vice president, financial services, in 1987; and senior vice president, finance, in 1990.

In August 2000, when Xcel Energy was formed by the merger of New Century Energies, Denver, and Northern States Power Company of Minneapolis, Kelly became president of Xcel Energy Enterprises and in August 2002, he was named chief financial officer. He became president and chief operating officer in October 2003, and was elected chief executive officer in June 2005.

Kelly earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting and a master of business administration degree from Regis University in Denver. He attended the University of Colorado's Executive Education Conference and the University of Michigan's Public Utility Executive Program.

Kelly is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Science Museum of Minnesota and a board member of the Capital City Partnership. He is a member of the Minneapolis Downtown Council, Colorado Concern and Colorado Forum, past president of the Arvada Optimist Club, and a past director of the Ronald McDonald House and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. He will join the boards of the Minnesota Orchestra and Regis University in 2006.

Xcel Energy is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company, with operations in 10 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. In terms of customers, it is the fourth-largest combination natural gas and electricity company in the nation. Company headquarters are located in Minneapolis. More information is available at www.xcelenergy.com.

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