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Xcel to up wind portfolio by a third (600 MW)
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2013/07/16/environment/xcel-wind-portfolioST. PAUL, Minn. — Three new wind energy projects in Minnesota and North Dakota would help Xcel Energy boost its Midwest wind portfolio by a third, the utility said Tuesday.
Xcel said it submitted paperwork to state regulators to add 600 megawatts of wind energy to its portfolio, which is enough electricity to power 180,000 homes, officials said. The utility's Midwest presence covers parts of Minnesota, the Dakotas, Wisconsin and Michigan.
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Xcel said the cost of wind has dropped in recent years, especially with the federal tax credit.
"When we evaluated the cost to our customers and compared the cost of wind power to the cost of producing electricity at one of our existing power plants, we got very favorable results," said Jim Alders, who directs Xcel's regulatory group. "We think we can save our customers money in the near future."
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