VOLUME 14 • ISSUE 9 • JUNE 2013
XTRA
Engagement:
Efforts aim at people doing
their best every day
Services:
Pilot project simplifies
contracting process
Power Plan:
New units proposed to
meet future demand
Barehanding
Challenging work requires working with thousands of volts
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover
story
page8
FEATURES
Engagement
4
Xcel Energy recently introduced changes
to how it tracks engagement, including a new survey administrator and an
18-month cycle on the full-sized survey.
Services
6
A new initiative is greatly streamlining
a contracting process by creating and
using a series of specific and standard
contracts for qualified power plant maintenance providers.
Barehanding
8
An elite group of linemen have volunteered to go through an intensive and
specifically designed training course to
learn specialized methods and equipment
for working on live transmission lines.
New Power
12
Xcel Energy has proposed adding up
to three sizeable “peaking” generating
units as the best way to meet customers’
needs during times of high electricity
demand.
Roping
16
Bryan Cook’s commitment, discipline and
dedication to the sport of rodeo, and steer
roping in particular, has paid off with
numerous awards over the years.
People 18
The most recent Friends We’ll Miss and
Retirement announcements.
On the Cover The practice of “barehanding” involves
specialized methods and equipment for
working on live transmission lines. Here,
Matt Winfield, working foreman, takes
part in barehanding training at a recent
session in the Amarillo area in a photo
taken by Troy Foos, with Communications.
For more information, please see story
on page 8.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
‘Extraordinary effort’ appreciated
in Minnehaha County
Dear Xcel Energy:
On behalf of the citizens of Minnehaha County, S.D.,
thank you for the extraordinary effort that your employees
devoted to our communities following the recent spring snow
and ice storm.
The efforts of Xcel Energy helped keep our citizens safe
during hazardous conditions, and restored power to thousands of residential and commercial customers. We understand your company brought in resources from three states
and 20 locations to assist local crews.
Xcel Energy also participated in the incident command
process, facilitating direct communication between your
personnel and public safety, transportation and other first
responders.
The result was a response effort that was safe, efficient
and greatly appreciated. Again, thank you.
–The Office of Minnehaha County Board of Commissioners
Thanks sent for power
restoration in South Dakota
Dear Xcel Energy:
Just wanted to take a moment to thank your crews for
working so hard. I am pregnant and was home sick when the
storm hit.
Our power was restored very quickly. Keep up the great
work guys!
–Katie Salyer, Sioux Falls, S.D.
PHOTO OP
Transformer
Swap
David Shore, facilities
general supervisor at Monticello Nuclear Generating
Station in Monticello, Minn.,
was on the roof of the plant
working on another project
when he took this photo of
the separate 2R transformer
replacement project. A
550-ton crane was used to
perform the 2R transformer
swap in early April, which
took about six days to
complete. Shore also took
the photo of the Monticello
steam-dryer-removal effort
on page four of the May
edition of Xtra.
Editor’s Note: “Photo Op” is a standing feature in Xtra. Each issue, a photo submitted by a reader or produced by a member
of Public Policy and External Affairs will be published. Please submit high-resolution digital photos to the editor at the e-mail
address listed on the back page of this publication. By submitting images for “Photo Op,” employees give Xtra permission
to run the photos.
Engagement
Company efforts aimed at an improved workplace
F
undamentally, engagement is about em “We previously only had one survey a year,” Figoli said.
ployees who enjoy coming to work and doing their best
“But engagement is an ongoing pursuit. Measuring it more
every day.
frequently helps us focus on engagement activity on an ongo “Engaged employees feel empowered to make a differing basis.
ence,” said Darla Figoli, vice president of Human Resources.
“The 10-question pulse surveys are a nice way to show
“They are connected to what they do and who they work with,
progress and commitment without a lengthy measurement
and understand how their work fits into the bigger picture at
tool,” she added. “And even better, having pulse surveys
Xcel Energy.”
means that we only take the full survey every 18 months inWith that said, however, engagement is much more than
stead of once a year.”
a feel-good metric, added Bev Brown, director of Inclusion
After the company’s employee engagement survey
and Engagement.
wrapped up last fall, managers across the company were en “Employees who are engaged are more productive and
couraged to talk to their employees and have an open dialogue
that can lead to stronger business results,” Brown said. “Enabout the survey’s results.
gaged employees are more likely to make recommendations
“The efforts don’t end with simply reviewing results,”
for improvements and tend to work more safely. This can all
Figoli said. “Our message now is for managers to keep talking
make a huge difference for the company.”
to their employees and to continue to work
Companies with engaged workforces
on improving engagement in their groups.
tend to be leaders in financial performance,
And there are a lot of great efforts going
she said. Research also shows that comon.”
panies with engaged employees provide
For instance, the CFO organization, headsignificantly better customer service.
ed by Teresa Madden, senior vice president
Engaged employees create more
and CFO, has seen great results from acpositive customer experiences, which then
tively discussing employee engagement at
boosts customer loyalty, Brown added.
all levels since the baseline 2011 survey.
That customer loyalty, in turn, can help
Madden’s organization formed six differdrive strong financial performance.
ent teams to work on engagement issues,
“Because we see the importance of
including a “lunch and learn” program that
employee engagement, we measure and
features experts from other areas of the
track it on our Corporate Scorecard,” Figoli
company coming to meet and talk with the
said. “And the tool we use to track it is the
CFO organization.
For the 2012 survey, the CFO organization
employee engagement survey.”
had
a 90 percent survey participation rate,
As a follow-up to the company’s enDarla Figoli
along with the highest overall percent favorgagement survey last fall, a “pulse” survey
able scores among the seven business areas.
went out to all employees last month. This
“What’s remarkable about this is not the
smaller-sized survey included six quesscore itself,” said Figoli. “Rather, we think the
tions from last year’s survey that measure
score shows that the employees in the CFO organization feel that
engagement, plus four questions about how well managers
their concerns were acknowledged and are being addressed.”
are communicating results and taking action.
In the fall of 2012, approximately 82 percent of employees
“The intent of this pulse survey is to gauge our progress,”
companywide took the full-sized 58-question survey, which covFigoli said. “Checking in with employees during the second
ered issues related to employee work life and the ability to do
quarter allows time to make any necessary course corrections
work. Administered by Towers Watson, the new survey provides
before a whole year has passed. This September, we’ll check
a deeper level of information about where the company is perin again with one more pulse survey and use those results as
forming well, Brown said, and where it can make improvements.
our 2013 scorecard measurement.”
“The 2012 survey found that 80 percent of employees are
Xcel Energy recently introduced changes to how it
enthused
and involved in their jobs, work environment and the
tracks engagement, including a new survey administrator,
people
around
them,” Brown said. “In fact, 86 percent feel
an 18-month cycle on the full-sized survey, pulse surveys at
proud
to
work
here,
while 85 percent had favorable responses
six-month intervals and plenty of conversations with leaders
around
safety.”
about how they can help build an environment where employ Overall the company’s results rank was 5 percent below
ees feel empowered, appreciated and involved.
4
XTRA
JUNE 2013
the U.S. energy and utility norm. However, engagement has
improved since the initial December 2011 pulse survey, and the
company’s engagement target was met in 2012.
All leaders at the company who had five or more respondents received results for their organizations late last year and
were asked to share them with their direct reports. The survey
“
“
High engagement makes the
company a better place to work
and leads to stronger business
results, and this survey will help
make that happen.
gives leaders personalized recommendations of efforts they
can make to improve engagement in their areas and provides
insight into the key drivers of engagement.
The pulse surveys will check to see if the results have been
shared with employees, Brown said, and will provide company leaders with a gauge to determine how their teams are moving forward.
“This new survey tool is providing us with more information and a clearer understanding of engagement,” Brown said.
“Knowing what drives engagement helps show where to focus
our efforts for improvement.
“High engagement makes the company a better place to
work and leads to stronger business results, and this survey
will help make that happen,” Brown said. “We want to help
Xcel Energy be a great place where people feel good about
coming to work.”
Engagement Video
To see a video about the company’s efforts around engagement, which dives deeper into the results of the
2012 employee engagement survey, scan this code with
a smart phone app, or look under “XcelEnergyVideo” on
youtube.com.
NEWS BRIEFS
Xcel Energy recognized
for military hiring practices
Xcel Energy recently was recognized as a 2013
winner of the Most Valuable Employer (MVE) for
Military by CivilianJobs.com for its efforts in hiring
military personnel.
CivilianJobs.com helps U.S. military personnel
connect with civilian careers.
MVEs are selected annually based on employers
whose recruiting, training and retention plans best
serve military service members and veterans.
“Xcel Energy’s efforts to attract military veterans has proven successful for both the company and
our employees,” said Ben Fowke, chairman, president and CEO. “We value the skills, commitment
and diversity that our veterans bring to the workplace. Their contributions are vital to our company’s
achievements.”
Xcel Energy recruits through websites that focus
on military service members. Recruiters and hiring
managers participate in numerous career fairs that
are focused on veterans entering the civilian workforce.
The company hosts an employee network group
called Military Ombudsmen for Veterans and Employees (MOVE).
These employees focus on the development, implementation and communication of programs and
policies centered on the welfare of veterans and their
families.
MOVE attends career fairs to recruit veterans
and active military that will be transitioning to a civilian job. They also host annual Support our Troops
drives to collect hundreds of packages to be sent to
military families.
Xcel Energy complies with all requirements of
the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, as well as all state laws. In addition,
the company supports its employees who are called
to active duty with enhanced benefits.
For the first six months of eligible military leave,
Xcel Energy will pay the difference between the employee’s base pay and the pay the employee receives
from the military.
The award from CivilianJobs.com is in addition
to the recognition the company has received from
G.I. Jobs for being a military-friendly employer. Xcel
Energy posts open positions that are a fit for military
personnel at militaryfriendly.com.
JUNE 2013
5
MASTER
SERVICES
AGREEMENT
Effort on plant services
simplifies contracting process
K
eeping Xcel Energy’s power plants running smoothly and efficiently requires the careful coordination of a wide range of maintenance processes
and activities. And plenty of that work – including specialized
efforts involving planned and unplanned outages – is done
by contractors.
The contracts required for each subcontractor are often
complex, detailing requirements related to safety, quality-assurance (QA) and quality-control (QC) guidelines. Not surprisingly, preparing those individual contracts can be tedious and
time-consuming.
But a new initiative is greatly streamlining that process
by creating and using a series of specific and standard contracts for qualified power plant maintenance providers.
In 2011, the Master Services Agreement (MSA) pilot
project was initiated at Cherokee Generating Station in Denver with 25 of the new agreements put into place. The idea
behind the MSA pilot project involved developing a process
for standardizing subcontracted maintenance contracts at
Cherokee, with the goal of expanding their use throughout
the company’s fleet.
Typically, plant maintenance agreements have been
executed individually on a short-term basis. But a crossdepartmental team worked to identify various work-project
categories and create a series of standard contracts for common operations and maintenance, as well as some capital
project work.
6 XTRA
JUNE 2013
“The idea was to simplify the contract process and encourage the negotiation and use of longer-term contracts,”
said Kurt Hornbecker, manager of Purchasing. “This frees
our people up from one-time purchase orders to focus on
higher-value, request-for-proposals and negotiations. It’s a
good example of operational excellence and is a best practice in the industry.”
In the early stages of the effort, a joint team from Operations, Technical Services, and Sourcing and Purchasing identified 65 different plant-maintenance categories that the fleet
uses periodically, he said. The team is now working to get
these categories in place, prioritized by level of importance.
“I started thinking along the lines of a master services
agreement when I looked at how many contractors we actually had on our plant site each year,” said Walt Wair, plant
director at Colorado’s Hayden Generating Station and team
sponsor. “There were more than 100 in 2010. But out of that
100, we only used a dozen or so on a regular basis.
“With the onset of the Contractor Safety Program, it was
becoming harder and harder to get needed contractors on
site in a timely manner,” Wair added. “So this was where the
MSA idea took root.”
Identifying areas where maintenance work contracts
could be standardized is no small task, he said, due to the
vast array of subcontracted maintenance work needed across
Xcel Energy’s fleet of power plants, including work such as
pump, coal mill and compressor rebuilds.
Cherokee Generating Station, site of the pilot project, with downtown Denver in the background
There also are specialized contractors who perform work
that the company typically does not have the required skill
sets to undertake, such as work on railroad lines and related
equipment, cooling-tower inspections, and bolt and nut disintegration problems.
But once in place, the new MSAs will help Energy Supply standardize its contractor expectations across the fleet,
Hornbecker said, and make the work much more efficient.
“Throughout the Energy Supply organization, we may
have as many as 200 employees working on scopes of work
at one time,” Hornbecker said. “If every one of these employees wrote them in the same way, we could get much more
consistent and narrowly defined scopes of work.
Many of these plant maintenance services require QA
and QC documentation,” he added. “And up until now, that
documentation had not been applied uniformly across the Energy Supply organization.”
Simplifying the contracting process offers a number of
significant advantages. Acquiring bids and negotiating longerterm contracts saves time and money, he said, resulting in a
cost reduction of 2 percent to 7 percent for labor, materials
and equipment.
Through the pilot project at Cherokee Station, where a
test case for just 25 contractors was used, the resulting savings were $560,000 in 2011 and nearly $700,000 in 2012.
“We were able to do this as a contract across PSCo, the
legal entity, and other plants in the operating company will be
able to take advantage, as well,” he said. “Across the Xcel
Energy fleet, the savings are estimated to be between $2 and
$3 million per year.”
Additionally, MSAs help ensure more consistent terms
and conditions of contracts on a project-to-project and a
plant-to-plant basis, Wair said, helping to better define the
specific scope of projects and safety requirements.
Once the MSA process is complete, each plant will have
a list of key providers by category, which they can quickly refer
to when needed, he said. The MSAs also will streamline the
contracting process and required safety reviews, help define
QA and QC requirements up front, and offer pricing benefits
as well.
“With the new MSAs, plant employees can issue plant
maintenance releases more quickly by having pricing, contractor safety appendices, and terms and conditions already
in place,” Hornbecker said. “And by aggregating what we are
spending with contractors across the company in the plantmaintenance category, Sourcing and Purchasing can negotiate better terms and pricing.
“These agreements allow for a pool of qualified contractors – which the plants can draw from – that are already vetted
and can be quickly mobilized as needed,” Wair added. “And
new contracts for specific power plants are being written now.
“The MSAs will help us achieve more uniformity – a
good business practice that Energy Supply has been working
toward for several years now.”
JUNE 2013
7
Bare
handED
Crews train for and tackle
challenging work on live
transmission lines
8 XTRA
JUNE 2013
T
aking large transmission lines offline
for repairs can interrupt service for customers –
not a desirable dynamic in terms of reliability or
customer satisfaction. The alternative?
Leave those transmission lines active while the necessary work is performed by line crews. But that requires
challenging work, as thousands of volts of electricity
flow through the lines.
“Our system here in Texas is heavily loaded, so it’s
difficult for us to have outages,” said Randy Deckard,
supervisor with Transmission Construction. “So being
able to work on transmission lines without interrupting
service and while the conductors are still energized is a
big advantage. But that obviously takes special skills and
training to do it both safely and effectively.”
To tackle the work, an elite group of linemen have
volunteered to go through an intensive and specifically
designed training course to learn “barehanding” – specialized methods and equipment for working on live
transmission lines.
Barehanding training sessions are ongoing, but one
recent session in Amarillo was given by an expert from
Atlanta, with 14 linemen participating (five from Ama-
rillo, five from Lubbock, and four from Denver). The twoweek training helped certify linemen for barehanding
work on lines up to 345,000 kilovolts.
The involved linemen volunteer to do the specialized work. The additional risk and challenges involved
in barehanding definitely require a certain type of individual, Deckard said.
“There is a lot of camaraderie between the guys,
and they work as a team,” he said. “They test their hot
sticks, ladders and other equipment as a team, relying
on each other for their safety. And there’s a confidence
with the team, too, as they prepare to ‘become one’ with
a power line carrying thousands of volts.”
On large, live transmission lines, a field of energy
exists around each conductor that extends out about
three to four feet. Barehanding crews suit up in special silver-colored outfits that cover and protect
them from head to toe.
These suits help keep the linemen
from feeling the uncomfortable sensation of being within the electric
field, he explained. The linemen also use a special tool
JUNE 2013
9
that allows them to “bond” with the conductor, while they
use specially designed gloves to make direct contact with
live lines.
However, Deckard pointed out that the training, the use
of highly specialized equipment and ongoing awareness of
related safety issues minimizes the hazards. Other specialized equipment includes a steel grid in bottom of buckets and
special carbon-soled shoes.
In addition, micro-amps are constantly monitored across
the insulated portion of the booms of certified bucket trucks,
according to stringent OSHA requirements, and readings are
constantly monitored for possible fluctuations. “Hot sticks” are
used to keep the energized conductor from ground potential.
Plus, the aerial devices used by barehanding crews
are equipped with meters to determine if there is any current leakage to ground, he added. Monitors in the trucks will
sound an alarm if the micro-amperage exceeds certain levels.
“I was a barehanding linemen for seven years as a journeyman,” Deckard said. “It is challenging work, but I enjoyed
10 XTRA
JUNE 2013
it. It takes a lot to maintain that level of focus and be very
directed in what you’re doing while working on lines that are
energized to that level.
“When you are making live contact and bonding to a conductor, you can feel the hairs on the back of your head stand
up,” he added. “But we’re working with specialized safety
equipment for the job, like our hot sticks, which are highly
insulated to allow us to hold the energized conductors.”
At times, a crew will use special ladders made of the
same materials as the specialized hot sticks. These ladders
are used in remote areas where a bucket truck can’t access.
The linemen have to climb a pole, install mounts and pulleys
for the ladder, pull it up into place, and then crawl out on the
ladder and bond with the line.
There are two barehanding crews out in the field at all
times in Texas, he said, and Colorado is now integrating barehanding crews among the linemen there, as well.
While reliability is an important part of the effort, the
safety of the barehanding linemen is of primary concern, he
Randy
Deckard
said. They are afforded the best
training possible to help them to
safely address all of the different aspects of barehanding.
“We have a tight-knit crew here in Texas,” Deckard
said. “They trust each other, know the risks and communicate well among themselves at all times.
“It’s potentially hazardous work,” he added. “But by
using the training techniques and the personal protective
equipment, barehanding crews do their work well and can
be safe year after year.”
Training
To tackle the work, an elite group of linemen have
volunteered to go through an intensive and specifically designed training course to learn “barehanding”
– specialized methods and equipment for working
on live transmission lines. Pictured on pages 8 to 11
in photos by Troy Foos, Communications, are scenes
from a recent training in the Amarillo area.
JUNE 2013
11
Power
Plan
X
cel Energy has proposed adding up to
three sizeable “peaking” generating units as the best
way to meet customers’ needs during times of high
electricity demand.
One unit would be built at Black Dog Generating Station
in Burnsville, Minn., and the other two near Hankinson, N.D.
The proposal to add up to three natural gas-fueled combustion turbines was submitted April 15 in response to proceedings before the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on
Xcel Energy’s Upper Midwest Resource Plan.
Those proceedings concluded that the company will need
to add 150 megawatts of new power resources in 2017 and up
Black12
DogXTRA
Generating
Station, Burnsville, Minn.
JUNE 2013
Company proposes natural
gas units to meet customers’
future electricity needs
to another 350 megawatts by 2019, said Judy Poferl, president
and CEO of Northern States Power Co.-Minnesota at the time
and now vice president and corporate secretary.
“Our proposal responds to our customers’ need for
power that can be brought on line quickly and efficiently to
meet demand when it’s highest,” Poferl said. “Further, our
proposal provides flexibility to allow us to add resources
only if they’re needed.”
Regulators in Minnesota and North Dakota will review
the company’s proposal, as well as proposals from other
parties, to determine which offering presents the best deal
for customers.
“Through the resource planning process, we work with
stakeholders and regulators to ensure we choose the most appropriate and cost-effective resources to meet our customers’
needs for clean reliable electricity,” Poferl said.
“While we continue to expect overall growth in customer
electricity use to remain flat,” she added, “the recent resource
planning process identified a need for some new resources to
be available at peak-usage times.”
Specifically, Xcel Energy proposes placing a 215-megawatt combustion turbine in service in 2017 at its Black Dog
plant, substantially replacing the plant’s coal-fired generating
capacity, which is scheduled to be retired in 2015.
“This would allow us to use existing buildings and transmission lines,” Poferl said, “and also would reinforce generation within the Twin Cities, which enhances reliability.”
The second and third 215-megawatt combustion turbines,
if needed, would be located at a yet-to-be selected site near
Hankinson, N.D., which is about 70 miles south of Fargo. The
NEWS BRIEFS
Xcel Energy seeks biomass
demonstration facility
In an effort to spur the development of new
generating technologies and contribute to forest health in Colorado, Xcel Energy recently filed
with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC) for approval of a demonstration project
to solicit electricity production from gasification
of forest biomass.
Xcel Energy would seek bids for a power purchase agreement (PPA) of up to two megawatts of
generation, under special provisions of the state’s
Renewable Energy Standard statute.
“Since 2007, Xcel Energy has been investigating small, forest biomass project opportunities.
Because the overall health of Colorado forests
has degraded due to drought and infestation,
there has been increasing interest among various
stakeholders to pursue this type of demonstration project,” said David Eves, president and CEO
of PSCo.
“Xcel Energy would gain valuable experience concerning the potential use of biomass for
future electricity generation,” he added. “And we
would be able to determine whether this type of
technology is a reasonable and promising way to
address the health of our Colorado forests.”
Some of these affected areas are close to Xcel
units would be placed in service in 2018 and 2019, and would
take advantage of nearby transmission and natural gas lines.
“Xcel Energy serves approximately 90,000 electricity customers in North Dakota – the majority of them in the greater
Red River Valley, including the communities of Fargo and
Grand Forks,” Poferl said. “Our proposal would enhance the
geographic diversity of our fleet.”
The filing in Minnesota includes a request for a Certificate of Need for the Black Dog unit in Burnsville, a southern
Twin Cities suburb. A filing also is being made with the North
Dakota Public Service Commission, seeking approval for the
two units proposed in that state.
The resource acquisition process now under way is
the first in many years for resources other than wind power,
Poferl said. A separate request for proposals for new
wind generation is pending and is not affected by the
combustion-turbine proposals submitted in response to the
Resource Plan proceeding.
Energy’s service territory in Colorado, and could
have future impact on company infrastructure
and service reliability, which makes the project of
interest to the company.
In addition, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS)
is increasing its forest health restoration efforts
and has indicated to Xcel Energy that it wants a
better understanding of whether woody biomass
byproducts from its forest treatment efforts can
be feasibly used for heat and electricity.
“The Forest Service supports the use of biomass for energy,” said Daniel Jirón, regional forester for the Rocky Mountain Region of the U.S.
Forest Service. “Expanding this opportunity carries out our priority to accelerate the pace of forest restoration, to contribute to job creation, and
to create healthier and more resilient forests for
the future. Reducing the risk of wildfire protects
vital infrastructure on the landscape.”
The filing also is consistent with the Colorado
General Assembly’s direction to the CPUC to give
the fullest possible consideration to new, clean
and energy-efficient technologies, when the commission considers new utility resources. The filing
gives the CPUC more leeway in addressing newer
technologies in terms of resource planning.
Xcel Energy would seek a 10-year PPA for
the demonstration facility upon approval by the
CPUC. After issuing a request for proposal (RFP),
the company would report back to the commission on potential projects by October 2013 and
seek approval of the company’s recommendation. The in-service date for the facility would be
determined based on the RFP process.
JUNE 2013
13
NEWS BRIEFS
Fowke announces organizational changes
Chairman, President and CEO Ben Fowke announced
several organizational changes last month.
“We are all aware of the substantial change under
way in the energy industry,” Fowke said. “From major
initiatives toward distributed energy in both the Minnesota and Colorado legislative sessions, to increasing
environmental requirements and our continued need to
invest in our system even in a period of flat sales, our
business faces challenges that require our focus and
creativity,” he said. “To ensure we are well positioned
to address these changes, I am making some organizational changes.”
They include:
• Corporate Secretary – “As you are aware, after a very
successful career, Cathy Hart retired from the company on May 31. I thank Cathy for her work and know
you join me in wishing her nothing but the best in her
retirement,” Fowke said. “At the Xcel Energy board
meeting, I nominated Judy Poferl to serve as corporate secretary. Judy assumed this role on May 23, upon
election by the board.”
• Operating Companies – “Our operating company model is increasingly important as we continue to seek
constructive regulatory results to facilitate our ongoing
investments,” he said. “To this end, I have asked Dave
Sparby to assume Judy’s role as president and CEO of
NSP-Minnesota and to continue to oversee the other
operating companies.”
To implement this heightened focus on the operating companies, Fowke said, other Revenue Group
functions will move to the support organizations. These
changes are effective immediately.
Corporate Services will assume Communica-
Xcel Energy upgrading
natural gas system in
east Twin Cities
Xcel Energy began work last
month on a $69 million, four-year
project in Roseville and St. Paul,
Minn., to upgrade the natural gas
system to enhance safety and ensure continued reliable service.
The East Metro Gas Pipeline Replacement Project will refurbish the
backbone of the natural gas system
that serves an estimated 100,000
homes and businesses in the eastern Twin Cities.
Major construction during the
next four years will include replac-
14
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JUNE 2013
tions and Marketing. Both of these organizations have
key roles in the company’s stakeholder outreach efforts, Fowke said, and bringing them together will help
strengthen this connection. These two functions will be
combined and will be headed by Jay Herrmann, who
will report to Marvin McDaniel.
Operations will assume the Commercial Operations
function, headed by Tom Imbler. Commercial Operations
already is closely aligned with our operations areas,
which should provide a seamless transition. Imbler will
report to Kent Larson.
The CFO organization will assume responsibility
for Revenue Requirements, headed by Richard Ostberg.
“Bringing together our budgeting, financial governance
and rate-case preparation into one business area should
further streamline and strengthen our processes,” Fowke
said. Ostberg will report to Teresa Madden.
“Finally, to ensure we create a sound roadmap for
the challenges ahead,” Fowke said, “I am bringing both
policy and strategy under one business unit”
General Counsel’s office, overseen by Scott Wilensky, will assume responsibility for the Public, Environmental and Federal policy areas, headed by Doug
Benevento, Frank Prager and Terri Eaton, as well as
Corporate Strategy, headed by Priti Patel. Environmental Services will continue to report through Operations. Frank Prager will lead this newly expanded
policy team, and both he and Priti Patel will report directly to Wilensky.
“Our business is shaped by public policy, so bringing both policy and strategy functions into a single business area will allow us to ensure our efforts are aligned,”
Fowke said.
“Look for additional announcements from these
business areas in the coming weeks as these organizational changes are implemented and refined,” Fowke
added. “I appreciate your support and efforts to make
this company strong, and I look forward to our continued
discussion about meeting the challenges and changing
business environment ahead.”
ing an 11½-mile long pipeline that
ranges from 16 inches to 24 inches in
diameter. The northernmost point of
the work is in Roseville. The pipeline
extends south and west into St. Paul
and branches out to two southern
end points.
The new 20-inch pipeline will
include the ability to use advanced
assessment technology to help ensure the integrity and reliability
of the system. And it will include
remote-control valves that will improve natural gas delivery efficiency,
especially during peak use days, and
give operators greater capability to
isolate a pipeline segment in the
event of an emergency, thus reducing the potential for loss of service
to customers.
The work will be done in phases
from approximately May through
October from this year through 2016
to avoid natural gas delivery interruptions during the heating season.
Most of the work will involve
removing the existing pipeline and
placing the new main in the same
trench. However, there are a few locations where the existing main will
be retired in place.
Construction will require some
digging in streets. Xcel Energy will
work with local authorities to minimize traffic interruptions and will
restore affected areas to their original condition.
Leadership
Conferences
Company leaders hosted a pair of leadership conferences in late April, one each in Minneapolis and
Denver. Ben Fowke, chairman, president and CEO,
provided a “CEO Perspective” presentation at each
meeting, and the conferences also featured table
discussions by all participants. Other company
leaders also participated. Pictured here are a few
scenes from the Denver meeting, including Ben
Fowke (center right), Marvin McDaniel, senior vice
president and CAO (lower right), and Teresa Madden, senior vice president and CFO, and David Eves,
president and CEO of PSCo (above). At top, Dave
Sparby, senior vice president and group president,
speaks during a discussion at the end of the event.
JUNE 2013
15
Steer
Roping
Cook and his horses are
of championship caliber
F
or most of us, evenings and weekends are
a time to relax and enjoy time with family and friends.
For Bryan Cook, that free time is often spent on a horse
working toward winning rodeo championships.
And his commitment, discipline and dedication to the
sport of rodeo has paid off with numerous awards over the
years. Last year, for example, he won the steer roping championship in the Range Riders competition in Amarillo, Texas,
taking home a custom, $4,000 champion’s saddle and a handsome cash prize.
“I compete almost every weekend in team roping in the
U.S. Team Roping Championships, Local Ropings and World
Series of Roping events,” said Cook, a senior project manager
in Transmission. “I was recently in the New Mexico Championships, and before that, I placed 6th in Decatur, Texas.
“I compete off and on throughout the year, winning checks,
spurs, buckles and saddles,” he added. “I was the South
Texas District Champion in 2007. Each association has their
yearly finals in Abilene, Oklahoma City or Las Vegas, which is
16
XTRA
JUNE 2013
where you strive to reach. Your goal is to make it to the finals.”
Making it to the finals and winning championships is no
small thing. Cook practices most every day of the week, keeping himself and his horses in peak shape, while honing his
horses’ responses as well as his own riding and roping skills.
“It takes a lot of commitment,” he said. “When most people are at home eating supper and relaxing on their couches
watching TV, I’m preparing for rodeo competitions. I’m up at
5:30 a.m. to keep myself and my four horses in shape.
“It’s about a lot more than swinging a rope,” he added.
“You’re riding a horse at about 45 miles an hour and roping a
steer that weighs maybe 350 to 400 pounds.”
Cook’s efforts are based on a long-time commitment to
rodeo. He was raised on a small ranch in Notrees, Texas, just
out of Odessa, and was a cowboy as a kid. He moved to Lubbock in high school and started participating in high school
rodeos, and then moved on to college rodeos.
Eventually, he got his Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association permit and continued off and on from there riding the
Roping Prowess
Bryan Cook’s free time is often spent on a horse
working toward winning rodeo championships. His
commitment, discipline and dedication to the sport
of rodeo has paid off with numerous awards over
the years. Above right, Cook is pictured with his four
horses, and at left, Cook during his earlier rodeo days
when he rode rough stock.
“rough stock” – broncos and bulls. He continued with rough
riding until 2006, when he got a wake up call and warning.
“I actually rode bulls until 2006 and was one of the oldest guys around, until a big black bull in Ft. Worth taught me
the error of my ways in staying in too long,” he said. “This
bull got me down under him in the chutes, but I was able to
get up and out.
“I got back on and he bucked me off after about six seconds – and you need to be on for eight seconds – and then
the bull came back around after me, hooking me in the left
shoulder and coming over the top of me. That event caused a
severe injury, even though the crowd enjoyed it!”
Cook had roped steers in rodeo events intermittently over
the years, but after that 2006 close call, roping became his
main event and he left rough stock behind.
Cook plans to continue competing in rodeos indefinitely.
He has four large, well-trained and well-muscled quarter horses ready to go to any competition.
He sees younger cowboys pulling up to events in the latest
model pickups and horse trailers, but pointed that it’s what walks
out of those pickups and trailers – the quality, condition and skills
of the cowboys and the horses – that makes champions.
“It’s about commitment, and being a cowboy is a different
lifestyle,” he said. “It’s not the pickups or trailers that you ride
in. It’s what you bring to the events.
“I’d say about 75 percent of what’s involved in being
successful in rodeo involves horsemanship skills and the
skills of the horse. It takes years of training of both the horses
and the riders.
“Winning events where there are 200 to 500 entries is a
terrific feeling,” he added. “The more you place or win in any
of these associations, the quicker you qualify for the finals.”
When asked how much longer he planned to keep with
the grueling process of training and competing, Cook said he
has no plans for easing up and retiring from rodeo.
“I’m going to continue until I just can’t do it anymore,” he
said. “I guess I’ll have to stop when I’m six feet under.”
JUNE 2013
17
PEOPLE
FRIENDS WE’LL MISS
Elwyn H. Clark
99, division stores supervisor, Treasury
Accounting, Lubbock, Texas, died on
March 25, 2013. He worked for SPS from
1945 to 1978.
Webster Cross
78, plant specialist A thereafter, Hydro
Operations and Maintenance, Shoshone
Hydro, Glenwood Springs, Colo., died on
March 26, 2013. He worked for PSCo from
1980 to 2001.
Charles E. Dorn
86, electrician, died on April 10, 2013. He
worked for NSP from 1947 to 1982.
Gertrude Grassmann
84, stenographer, Accounts Information,
Colorado, died on March 13, 2013. She
worked for PSCo from 1971 to 1991.
Conrad Hedenskog
82, maintenance supervisor, Production, Colorado, died on April 18, 2013. He
worked for PSCo from 1954 to 1985.
Kenneth Krummell
81, operator mechanic, Colorado, died on
March 16, 2013. He worked for PSCo from
1953 to 1998.
Louis J. Mahowald
79, welder specialist, Operations, King
Generating Station, Oak Park Heights,
Minn., died on April 11, 2013. He worked
for NSP from 1953 to 2006.
Irene C. Newlin
90, teller, Accounting, Wisconsin, died on
April 1, 2013. She worked for NSP from
1942 to 1981.
Marion E. Schulte
88, accounting clerk, Customer Accounting/Meter Read, Mankato Service Center,
Mankato, Minn., died on March 4, 2013.
She worked for NSP from 1971 to 1988.
George W. Shedd
74, machine operator, Colorado, died on
April 19, 2013. He worked for PSCo from
1969 to 1994.
18
XTRA
JUNE 2013
Gayle M. Sjoberg
48, balancing authority operator, Transmission Operations, Lookout Center,
Golden, Colo., died on April 14, 2013. She
worked for PSCo from 1986 through 2013.
Vince J. Karls Sr.
operations supervisor, Operations,
Sherco Plant, Becker, Minn., retired on
June 1, 2013. He worked for Xcel Energy
for 33 years.
Martin R. Skala
90, dispatcher, Colorado, died on April 4,
2013. He worked for PSCo from 1953 to
1986.
Marty Martinez
(marty2585@yahoo.com), Transmission
Business Relations, Lookout Center,
Golden, Colo., retired on April 2, 2013. He
worked for Xcel Energy for 32 years.
Brent M. Symonds
90, display man, Display Department, died
on March 25, 2013. He worked for NSP
from 1953 to 1972.
Mildred R. Vardsveen
90, credit supervisor, Accounting, died on
Feb. 21, 2013. She worked for NSP from
1960 to 1982.
RETIRING
Deborah David
associate senior customer service, Credit
Support, Centre Point, Roseville, Minn.,
retired on May 9, 2013. She worked for
Xcel Energy for 38 years.
Curtis Elwood
(klezo7@wildblue.net), plant supervisor,
Operations, Hayden Station, Hayden,
Colo., retried on May 30, 2013. He worked
for Xcel Energy for 36 years.
Les Fraley
(fraleyvl@aol.com), account manager,
Outdoor Lighting, Lipan Distribution
Center, Denver, Colo., retired on April 30,
2013. He worked for Xcel Energy for 34
years.
Charlotte Garcia
(charlottegarcia@msn.com), project
coordinator, Property Services, 1800
Larimer, Denver, Colo., retired on April 30,
2013. She worked for Xcel Energy for 17
years.
George G. Huber
(projectguy44@hotmail.com), systems
relay specialist, Operations and Electrical Maintenance, Maple Grove, Minn.,
retired on June 3, 2013. He worked for
Xcel Energy for 34 years.
Christine McClinton
data technician, Geospatial Data Technology, Lipan Distribution Center, Denver,
Colo., retired on May 31, 2013. She
worked for Xcel Energy for 41 years.
Patrick McDonough
(patjeanmcdonough@gmail.com), solutions consultant, Business Systems, General Office, Minneapolis, Minn., retired on
June 7, 2013. He worked for Xcel Energy
for 37 years.
Rudolf Navarette
(ranavarette@gmail.com), controls
technician A, PETS, Cunningham Station,
Hobbs, N.M., retired on May 31, 2013. He
worked for Xcel Energy for 37 years.
Charles P. Paler
(cpfeeders@mvtvwireless.com), substation foreman, PE & M, Montevideo Service Center, Montevideo, Minn., retired
on May 28, 2013. He worked for Xcel
Energy for 40 years.
Daryl W. Pettinger
instrumentation and controls planner
team lead, Maintenance, Prairie Island
Nuclear Plant, Red Wing, Minn., retired
on April 15, 2013. He worked for Xcel
Energy for 32 years.
Tom J. Rudolph
landfill heavy equipment operator, Landfill, Sherco Plant, Becker, Minn., retired
on May 31, 2013. He worked for Xcel
Energy for 29 years.
Linda Satre
(llsat01@charter.net), plant chemical specialist, Chemistry Lab, Sherco Chem Lab,
Becker, Minn., retired on May 24, 2013.
She worked for Xcel Energy for 35 years.
PEOPLE
David A. Scott
(dsdogs@tds.net), isolation coordinator,
Operations, Monticello Nuclear Plant,
Monticello, Minn., retired on April 30,
2013. He worked for Xcel Energy for
28 years.
David Stephenson
manager, Metering Performance and
Standards, Distribution, Business
Operations, Northeast Service Center,
Amarillo, Texas, retires on June 30, 2013.
He worked for Xcel Energy for 42 years.
John E. Tapio
(jstapio@comcast.net), representative,
Customer Contact Center, Centre Point,
Roseville, Minn., retired on March 29,
2013. He worked for Xcel Energy for five
years.
Frank Ward
maintenance supervisor, Comanche
Maintenance, Comanche Station, Pueblo,
Colo., retires on June 28, 2013. He worked
for Xcel Energy for 40 years.
Keith Weisser
line crew foreman, Fargo Service Center,
Fargo, N.D., retired on June 3, 2013. He
worked for Xcel Energy for 32 years.
Steven D. Willaert
(sdwillaert@hotmail.com), account manager, Minnesota C&I Account Management, Mankato Service Center, Mankato,
Minn., retired on April 1, 2013. He worked
for Xcel Energy for 36 years.
Continuing Education
W. Kyle Chester
senior geospatial analyst, 414 Nicollet
Mall, Minneapolis, Minn., received his
Master of Science in Management of
Technology degree from the Technological Leadership Institute at the University
of Minnesota on April 26, 2013.
AROUND THE
COMPANY
Xcel Energy first quarter
2013 earnings announced
Xcel Energy recently reported 2013 first quarter
earnings of $237 million, or $0.48 per share compared
with 2012 earnings of $184 million, or $0.38 per share.
First quarter 2013 earnings were favorably impacted by increased electric and natural gas margins
and lower interest expense. Winter weather in the
first quarter of 2013 was not only colder than normal, but significantly different from the abnormally
warm first quarter of 2012. This contrast in weather
primarily drove the positive impact when comparing
the two periods, said Ben Fowke, chairman, president and CEO.
The increase in electric and natural gas margins
also reflects the implementation of rate increases in
Brian Limanen
balancing authority operator, Control
Center, 414 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis,
Minn., received his Bachelor of Applied
Science degree in Energy Management
from Bismarck State College on
May 10, 2013.
Xtra retiree web portal
available on xcelenergy.com
The latest issue of Xtra is posted
each month on a webpage on the company’s website at: xcelenergy.com/retirees.
Retirees and employees are invited
to visit the page to view the latest issue,
as well as a number of back issues of Xtra.
Links on the page also provide access to
various utility shareholder groups.
Colorado, Wisconsin and South Dakota, along with
interim rate increases, subject to refund, in Minnesota and North Dakota. These positive drivers were
partially offset by higher operating and maintenance
expenses, depreciation and property taxes.
“We had a good first quarter delivering solid
earnings, while maintaining quality service and reliability,” Fowke said. “We are reaffirming our 2013
earnings guidance of $1.85 to $1.95 per share, which
is dependent on several key assumptions, including
constructive outcomes in all rate case and regulatory proceedings.
“We recently reached settlements in South Dakota and Texas. However, several parties filed adverse
recommendations in our electric rate case in Minnesota and our natural gas rate case in Colorado.
“We believe our requested rate increases in both
states are necessary to continue to provide excellent
customer service and reliability, recover our costs of
investments in our utility business, maintain strong
credit ratings and access the capital markets,” he added. “We will continue to work with the various parties
and commissions to reach constructive outcomes.”
JUNE 2013
19
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PERMIT NO 1818
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Minneapolis, MN 55401
xcelenergy.com
Xtra
Published monthly by Xcel Energy
Kevin Graham, Editor
1800 Larimer Street, 16th Floor
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303-294-2417
Fax: 303-294-2968
email: Kevin.Graham@xcelenergy.com
Eng
Contributors: Kelly Simon
and Carrie Krueger
Efforts
their b
Design: Steve Berry
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