May 2013- Volume 13 - Xcel Energy

XTRAVOLUME 13 • ISSU E 8 • M A Y 2013DivisionPanelsProject at Comanche boosts availabilityDRIVE TO CLIVE:Monticello steam dryerremoval marks anindustry firstTECHTRANSFER:Company honored with‘explosive’ national awardfrom EPRISPRING BLAST:Crews respond to majorice storm damage inSouth Dakota

TABLE OF CONTENTSCOVERSTORYpage 10FEATURESMONTICELLO MOVE 4In an industry first, the old steam dryer(OSD) at Monticello Nuclear GeneratingStation was removed in a single pieceand eventually laid to rest underwestern skies.DIVISION PANELS 8Innovative new equipment has beeninstalled at Comanche GeneratingStation’s Unit One boiler, and the resultshave been impressive.EPRI AWARD 12Xcel Energy recently played a leadingrole in a research effort aimed atbetter understanding and reducingthe damaging effects of explosivecleaning efforts on boiler tubes.COACHING 16Vince Lakatos dedicates up to 20 hours aweek to coaching youth volleyball duringpeak season. He has coached more than 700girls over the last 14 years.CALCULATOR 6A recent initiative launched by a team ofemployees from Marketing and Engineeringhas dramatically streamlined a seriesof previously tedious and complicatedbusiness processes.SPRING BLAST 14A severe spring ice storm in SouthDakota left about 90,000 customerswithout power, and numerous companyand other crews immediately respondedto those outages.PEOPLE 18The most recent Friends We’ll Miss andRetirement announcements.ON THE COVERA crane lifts one of the new division panels(not pictured) for Comanche GeneratingStation’s Unit One boiler. Below, onthe ground, other division panels wait tobe installed in the boiler through a smallopening in the plant’s outer wall. For moreinformation, please see story on page 10.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR‘How a socially responsiblecompany should act’Dear Xcel Energy:I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you forshowing us how a socially responsible company should act.During the recent storm in Sioux Falls, S.D., I was astoundedby the way you have stepped up and helped our community.Every time I have called your call center, my calls havebeen answered within one minute, and every representativehas been extremely helpful. I also have had branches clearedfrom my electric lines within four days.I am very impressed with your customer service andyour ability to step up your service in times of high need.Thank you!–Simon Reed, Sioux Falls, S.D.Thanks sent for Texas storm helpDear Xcel Energy:Thank you for caring about employee safety enough tocall off certain duties in Amarillo during the recent blizzard.I know that takes sacrifice.I also know that some employees are never calledoff, but instead are called in. That dedication is evenmore appreciated.We wish the utmost safety and give our concerns to thefield crews who restored power outages in the area. ThanksXcel Energy, for keeping the power on that keeps us warm –even through one of the worst snowstorms in our history!–Zach Juarez, Amarillo, TexasPHOTO OPSHERCOSUNRISELast October, JasonFredensborg, a carpenter inSpecial Construction, hadto go up to the top of oneof the stacks at the ShercoGenerating Station inBecker, Minn. He needed tosign scaffold tags for someelevator workers, and it wasperfect timing to catch thesunrise that morning. Coolingtowers are seen at thebottom of the photo, linedwith lights, and steam fromthe plant also floats abovemoving east.Editor’s Note: “Photo Op” is a standing feature in Xtra. Each issue, a photo submitted by a reader or produced by a memberof Public Policy and External Affairs will be published. Please submit high-resolution digital photos to the editor at the e-mailaddress listed on the back page of this publication. By submitting images for “Photo Op,” employees give Xtra permissionto run the photos.

DRIVE TO CLIVEIn industry first, Monticello steam dryer moved intact to UtahIn an industry first, the old steam dryer (OSD)at Monticello Nuclear Generating Station was removed ina single piece and eventually laid to rest under westernskies in Clive, Utah.The effort marked the end of a year’s worth of planningand preparation at the Minnesota power plant – removing,packaging and shipping for disposal of an intact steam dryer.“Other nuclear plants had removed old steam dryers,but most were cut up,” said John Gushue, project manager,Nuclear Projects. “No one had removed an intact steam dryerwithout making a major modification to the reactor building.And no other plant had ever shipped an intact steamdryer offsite.”Removing the dryer intact resulted in a significant reductionin radiation exposure for workers, added Alan Zelie,manager, Radiation Protection. The entire task was completedwith an unprecedented low, collective radiation exposure andno safety issues.During other OSD projects, workers received up to an 85rem dose (a measure of radiation) during removal by cutting upthe units. However, the actual worker dose for removing theMonticello OSD was just 1.3 rem, Zelie said.While the replacement of steam dryers at boiling-waterreactors has been accomplished at several sites, no utility hadever shipped one intact, Gushue said. The dryer was a large,highly contaminated, reactor-vessel component – about 13feet high, 16 feet in diameter and weighing 53,000 pounds.The size and travel path from plant to railroad bay to shippingcask and on to burial site presented a significant challenge,he said. The project team determined that the use ofremote monitoring and handling technology would be requiredduring the removal effort for radiological safety.Eduardo Del Barrio, an engineer at Monticello, was instrumentalin developing remote-based technology – such asa remotely deployed contamination-control bag (unique to theindustry) and the use of remote-monitoring technology to allowmovement of the dryer while minimizing personnel interactionwith the equipment.In addition, Paul Vitalis, senior health physicist, and TonyHedges, supervisor, were responsible for obtaining, preparingand training for the use of all remote-monitoring equipment,including equipment used to remotely handle the steam dryervia crane and its self-propelled transporter. Tom Crippes, refuelingsupervisor, was responsible for plant coordination andsome highly technical and complicated rigging processes.Training for the operation involved both classroom timeand the construction of a full-scale, steam-dryer mockup forhands-on training. Three different mock-up exercises wereeventually performed before the actual move.“These training opportunities enabled the team to better4 XTRA MAY 2013

understand the basis, need and application of federal governmentexpectations for the shipping of radioactive objects,”Gushue said. “The mock-up exercises provided ample opportunitiesfor craft people to work on methods, practices andtechniques that optimized efficiencies and minimized dose.”The OSD had been stored under water on the refuelingdeck at the plant since the 2011 outage. While being movedup from the temporary storage tub to the deck, it was coatedwith a special paint to fixcontamination in place prior“to the unit being bagged andmoved by the boilermakers forshipment offsite.The plant’s Special Constructiongroup, led by DarrelOstendorf, constructionsuperintendent, stepped upto help at a key point in theprocess.After three days ofaround-the-clock adjustments,tie-downs and testing, the highly skilled ironworkerswere done and the shipment was ready for the road, Gushuesaid. Following an extensive pre-shipment inspection, RadiationProtection authorized the shipment for release aftercompleting necessary paperwork and surveys to confirm theshipment met federal government requirements.Eventually, the “Drive to Clive” involved 900 miles andtook 11 days of travel through four states. It required a transportermeasuring 20 feet wide and 207 feet long, whichweighed 614,000 pounds.The shipment took up two lanes on the roads it traveledand moved along at an average speed of just 20 mph. Thetransporter was accompanied by six chase vehicles and policeescorts. Two Monticello employees also followed the loadduring the entire route.The dryer reached its destination safely and was disposedof via burial at an Energy Solutions facility in Clive,Utah. There were no safety issues, no radiological events, nospread of contamination and no dosimetry alarms, Zelie said.The preparation andmovement of the dryer to theshipping container at Monticellowas accomplished“In the end, the projectaccomplished a numberof world-class milestones.under the radiological goal– actual was 512 mRem vs.a goal of 700 mRem. The radiologicaldose for the entireproject was 1.369 Rem.This is now the industrybenchmark, Zelie added, andsignificantly less than anyother dryer-removal project.“A number of challenges with the project brought out theskill, dedication and commitment of the project team as eachissue was professionally addressed,” Gushue said. “The projectteam and plant personnel in general were fully aligned onthe need, importance and impact to the station to remove theOSD on time in November.“The full support of all of Monticello’s resources alignedto provide assistance and make the project a success,” headded. “In the end, the project accomplished a number ofworld-class milestones, in addition to accomplishing the worksafely without an OSHA-reportable incident.”MONTICELLOThe move of the old steam dryer from the Monticello plant involved 900 miles and took 11 days of travel through four states.It required a transporter measuring 20 feet wide and 207 feet long, which weighed 614,000 pounds. The shipment took up twolanes and moved along at an average speed of just 20 mph.MAY 2013 5

CALCULATORAUTOMATIONSimplified DSM process brings efficiency, transparencyIt sometimes seems that with each passingday, things just seem to get more and more complex.But a recent initiative launched by a team of employeesfrom Marketing, Account Management and the BusinessSolutions Center has reversed that dynamic by dramaticallystreamlining a series of previously tedious and complicatedbusiness processes.The Demand Side Management (DSM) Calculator Automationproject greatly simplifies the processing of DSM programrebates by replacing a myriad of individual MicrosoftExcel-based spreadsheetcalculators with“an easy-to-use, comprehensiveprogram,which is fully integratedwith Salesforce.com, the company’scustomer relationshipmanagement solution.The new calculatingsoftware bringsconsiderable advantagesboth to XcelEnergy and its customers,said Mark Schoenheider,team lead andenergy efficiency engineer.Benefits includeadditional processcontrols and increasedefficiency for DSM calculations, along with quicker processingof rebates for residential, commercial and industrial customers.Translating customers’ information to perform the calculationsfor DSM rebates is a complex process, involving a hostof variables specific to each customer’s location, building type,appliance, equipment, energy usage, etc.“There are countless combinations of variables acrossour service territories and product offerings,” he said. “All ofthat information needs to be processed so we can provide ourWe ended up with aproject that deliveredfar more benefits to awider group of peoplethan originally identified.customers with the most accurate projection of energy savingsthat they will realize by participating in various programs.“And Xcel Energy also needs the most reliable informationpossible for its reporting to our regulatory agencies,” headded. “We need to determine the proper amount of energysavings, costs, and rebates.”Thanks to the new calculator, customers will get a moreaccurate idea of what exactly they can expect in terms of energysavings by participating in Xcel Energy’s DSM programs.In addition, the overall process for customers will be quicker.“With thenew calculators, weare able to processcustomers’ applicationsand get themtheir rebate checksmore quickly,” saidJeremy Thompson,account manager inMinneapolis. “Andour business customerswill benefit fromthe fact that their accountmanagers nowhave all of the DSMinformation that theyneed – such as rebatelevels and equipmenteligibility – in onecentral place.“Our sales teams can quickly access all of the informationthey need to tell a customer, for example, what rebate theyqualify for,” he added. “And they can do it instantly, instead ofseveral hours or a day later.”“The idea for the calculator project started as a conceptto increase the efficiency of energy-conservation calculationsand to mitigate the risk of potential errors,” said JonathanAdelman, director of Retail Market Strategy. “However, myteam identified additional benefits from the very start by align-“6 XTRA MAY 2013

NEWS BRIEFSing the timing of this project with the release of the customerrelationship management software.“We were able to maximize the organizational benefit by incorporatinginput along the way form all user groups,” Adelmansaid. “And we ended up with a project that delivered far morebenefits to a wider group of people than originally identified.”The company also will see major benefits as a result ofthe implementation of the Calculator Automation project. Thenew simplified and streamlined process is bringing significantsavings, said Jana Tollefson, manager of DSM and RenewableOperations.“We expect to process about 88,000 residential and12,000 commercial rebates per year with the new system, andthe new effort will result in significant time savings,” Tollefsonsaid.“We launched on a Monday, and by Thursday, Rebate Operationsalready had processed 1,300 residential rebates,” shesaid. “That represented an estimated 20 percent improvementin rebate processing times. To see that kind of improvement injust a few days was great.”As the learning curve with the new system levels out, sheadded, there likely will be more improvements in performance.“The investments in Salesforce.com and this calculatorproject are part of the long-term strategic vision for our business,”said Lee Gabler, director of DSM and Renewable Operations.“Salesforce.com provides a solid platform that linksall aspects of our business. It also sets the stage for focusedadd-on solutions, such as the calculator project, which let ustarget operational efficiencies.”The significant improvements in accessibility and visibilitythat the new program brings have given staff new ideasabout how they might improve processes by applying otherideas and best practices, he added.“One of the things this new system does is present moredata – in a clear and understandable manner – about howour DSM programs and rebates work,” Gabler said. “There ismuch better transparency now, which is allowing the 180 usersto see exactly what is working well and why. We can nowsee the details of each transaction, and use that data to seepatterns and trends that were previously undetectable.”The Calculator Automation project is a broad-based teameffort involving Sales and all DSM Marketing departments –Product Management, Engineering, Rebate Operations andDSM Regulatory.“Overall, the project has been a huge success,” Schoenheidersaid. “We met or exceeded all of the original goals,while delivering the project on time and slightly under budget.And we wouldn’t have seen that success without excellentcollaboration from all different parts of the team.”Changes announced forCAO organizationMarvin McDaniel, senior vice president and CAO,recently announced several organizational changes.Retiring Corporate Secretary Cathy Hart “leavessome very big shoes for us to fill, so these plans willhelp us to make this transition seamlessly,” McDanielsaid. Hart has announced her retirement the end of May.Nancy Held, director, Corporate Compliance andBusiness Conduct, will now report to McDaniel.“Corporate Compliance has regular interactionwith the Board Audit Committee, represents a corevalue of our company, and is an increasingly criticalbusiness function given the volume and complexityof regulations and penalties for non-compliance,”McDaniel said.Property Services, Security and Aviation will jointhe Safety, Workforce Relations and Technical Trainingarea and become an expanded organization calledSafety and Business Services. Vice president DanNygaard will lead this new group.“Each department in this organization providesenterprise-wide services and often works in concert tosupport critical business needs,” McDaniel said. “LarryBick will continue in his role as senior director, Propertyand Security Services, and Jennie Ator will continuein her role as director, Aviation, and both will reportdirectly to Dan.”Reservoir storage enhanced byrelaxation of the Shoshonewater-rights callTwo back‐to‐back, drought‐plagued winters inwestern Colorado have triggered an agreement to “relax”a senior water rights call on the Colorado Riverat the Shoshone Hydro Plant to allow water providersto store more water this spring, a move that benefitsDenver Water and the West Slope.Shoshone’s senior 1902 water right of 1,250 cubicfeet a second (cfs), when called, is administered by theColorado Division of Water Resources against juniorwater storage rights upstream that include Denver Water’sDillon and Williams Fork Reservoirs, the ColoradoRiver District’s Wolford Mountain Reservoir and theBureau of Reclamation’s Green Mountain Reservoir.The agreement “relaxes” the call to 704 cfs whenriver flows are low, or takes a Shoshone call totallyoff the river when flows are rising. This practice givesthe upstream juniors water rights holders the ability tostore water once the spring runoff begins in earnest.Denver Water has already enacted its Stage 2drought restrictions to limit outdoor water use and willenact other conservation measures. The winter of 2012was the fourth worst on record in the Colorado River Basin.By this time in 2012, runoff was already under way.MAY 2013 7

COMANCHEDIVISIONPANELSInnovation leads to improvedavailability and reliabilityComanche Generating Station, like othercoal-fired power plants, must deal with the consistentchallenge of slagging, which can damage keyboiler equipment when coal-ash deposits accumulate andlead to outages.After researching various options to mitigate the ongoingproblem, innovative new equipment has been installed inthe power plant’s Unit One boiler, and the results have beenimpressive. Comanche’s availability and reliability have beenimproved, and the plant is seeing significant savings – about$2 million a year in increased generation.The coal used at Comanche, Colorado’s largest coal-firedplant located in Pueblo, Colo., comes from the Power RiverBasin (PRB) in northeast Wyoming. PRB coal produces significantlylower sulfur and nitrogen emissions than many othercoals used by power plants throughout the United States.So it’s no surprise that it is the coal of choice for roughly 50percent of the coal-fired power plants in the country.But while PRB coal offers cost and environmental benefits,it also has some drawbacks, said Jay McCoy, technicalspecialist at Comanche. The coal has a tendency to leave slagdeposits on key boiler equipment that build up and can foulwaterwalls, superheaters, reheaters and flue-gas passages.These deposits can in turn lead to outages for boilermaintenance or even unplanned outages. That was the caseat Comanche prior to the recent changes.“In spite of regular maintenance and the use of cleaningsystems to minimize accumulation of slagging deposits,8 XTRA MAY 2013

over time the destructive dynamic of slag accumulation andremoval took its toll,” McCoy explained.“The slag accumulation on the division panels requiredfrequent, online, high-pressure water cleaning, as well asfrequent load drops to shed the slag,” he added. “And thoseload drops for slag shedding had significant effect on the bottomline.”Comanche’s upper furnace in its Unit One boiler housesan array of four radiant superheater division panels, equallyspaced across the width of the boiler. Each of these four panelsis made up of a front and rear pendant composed of 28circuits of tubing.Those tubes are supposed to be aligned uniformly, hesaid. But after years of use and the accumulation of slag –coupled with the use of explosives needed to clean away thosedeposits – the tubes had become damaged and deformed.“Before the replacement, the pendant tubes were severelymisaligned,” McCoy said. “It was like a bunch of logsthrown helter-skelter on the back of a truck, some morecrooked than others.“The tubing was no longer evenly and uniformly spread,and that created a big slag magnet in the boiler,” he added.“We had to use some pretty determined explosives to cleanaway those deposits, which sometimes caused damage tothe tubes.“And so, in addition to planned maintenance outages,we started seeing unplanned outages – not something thatEnergy Supply prides itself on, and something that we try toMAY 2013 9

avoid at all costs. It was a big problem for us.”A few years ago, a team of technicians at Comanchebegan exploring solutions to the problem of slag accumulationin Unit One, researching potential design and materialchanges, and holding discussions with various vendors.After carefully considering the options available, theteam chose Doosan Power System’s Church Window Designas the best division-panel fit for Unit One. Because of thesmoother contour of the pendant bottom and their weldedbottoms, the panels offered the best option for reducingslag accumulation.The division-panel replacement effort was completedlast spring. The old misshapen panels were removed in twopieces and a crane used to take out the old equipment andbring in the new.The new panels were carefully lifted into place andwelded to the existing stubs from the original headers in theboiler’s upper furnace, he said. The seal from this penthouseto the furnace was replaced, and in addition to the radiographyperformed on all of the welds, a “hydro” test was performedto ensure a “water tight” repair.“The division-panel replacement went surprisinglywell,” McCoy said. “A 12-foot-high ‘window’ was cut intothe side of the boiler. Then a crane lifted the new assembliesand transported them across monorails into the boiler.“It required quite a set of rigging,” he added. “But in theend, our total outage was only eight weeks, and we finishedthe installation ahead of schedule.”The new pendant-panel design has a specially engineeredmembrane to minimize slag formations, he said. The uniquepanel construction allows inevitable slag deposits to form onlyas a sheet, rather than the complete encapsulation depositsthat were seen previously. And the sheet of deposits can bemore readily removed simply by local soot-blowing action.10 XTRA MAY 2013

The reduction in slag accumulation and the simplerand quicker slag removal process means reduced outagetime for maintenance. With the new pendant-panel design,the boiler can be returned to service 12 hours sooner afterscheduled maintenance, he said.And the new system avoids the use of costly magnesium-hydroxideinjection, which was previously used toclean away slag deposits. That process is now used onlyon an as-needed basis, reducing chemical costs by roughly$650,000 annually.Since the new equipment was installed on Comanche’sUnit One, the formation of slag deposits on the new panelshas been virtually non-existent, McCoy said, and the newanti-slagging design has proven a major success.“The new panels have increased generation, valued atapproximately $2 million per year, according to our calculations,”McCoy said. “The solution to our slagging problem isas good or better than we’d hoped, and we’re now consideringinstalling the same pendant-panel design on our othertwo boilers in the coming years.”COMANCHEInnovative new equipment has been installed in Comanche GeneratingStation’s Unit One boiler, and the results have been impressive.Pictured at top and above right, welders and others at work in theboiler, and above left, one of the new division panels. On page 10, aview down on the new panels before installation in the boiler, andon pages 8 and 9, a view inside the boiler before the new panelswere installed.MAY 2013 11

Explosive CleaningXcel Energy honored for research on explosive cleaning of boiler tubesXcel Energy recently played a leadingrole in an EPRI research effort aimed at better understandingand reducing the damaging effects ofexplosive cleaning efforts on boiler tubes.The findings of the research will help utilities and othersin the industry reduce the risks and the potential forforced outages due to damaged boiler tubes, said Rick Hellner,project lead and consulting engineer, Denver. Damagefrom explosive cleaning is one of the top 10 tube failurecauses.DTE Energy of Michigan joined Xcel Energy in the effortand also was honored with a Technology Transfer Awardfrom EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute). The awardsare presented annually to members who have led efforts toapply R&D on behalf of their companies and the industry atlarge.Other Xcel Energy employees honored with the awardincluded James Sisko, senior engineer, Minneapolis; andBret Shellhorn, production specialist III, Denver.“This award is another example of modernizing our infrastructure,not only by upgrading equipment and facilities,but also through the use of technology to ensure service reliability,”Hellner said. “At Xcel Energy, boiler tube failurescause the majority of our forced outages.“Together with the Colorado School of Mines [CSM],we came up with a proposal for a project and testing program,”he added. “We submitted it to EPRI, which thenformed a member collaborative project.”Coal-fired power plants have long used explosivecleaning to remove or control deposits in boilers. This processdetonates explosive charges in proximity to the area ofslagging deposits.Advantages include reduced cleaning time and theavoidance of using scaffolding, Hellner said. However, damagecan occur in tubing as a result of explosive cleaning.Damage typically involves cracking in the tubes, whichis not commonly detected during the cleaning process andleads to tube failures in the months or years after the initialcleaning.The EPRI project sought to identify the underlying causesthat lead to cracking and develop a set of guidelines to minimizeor eliminate damage as a result of explosive cleaning.12 XTRA MAY 2013

James SiskoRick HellnerBret ShellhornEXPLOSIVE CLEANINGFindings from the research will help utilities andothers in the industry reduce the risks and the potentialfor forced outages due to damaged boilertubes from explosive cleaning. Research methodsincluded numerous blasting tests and other work.“Xcel Energy worked with EPRI members and CSM tomanage the project,” Hellner said. “We got the informationwe needed and were able to implement many of the project’srecommendations to mitigate damage.”Those recommendations included explosive charge sizes,distances and testing to determine the condition of the tubes.As a result, boiler-tube failures due to explosive damage weresignificantly reduced, he said, resulted in fewer forced outages.The results of the study are being used to develop proceduresthat will allow continued use of this cost-effective cleaningmethod, Hellner added, and to ensure personnel safety,timely boiler access and boiler tube reliability.The research project began by surveying utility companiesand explosive-cleaning vendors to document current practicesand results of explosive cleaning. The project team alsoworked with several utility companies to collect tube samplesthat contained blast-cleaning damages. These damages wereanalyzed to produce a comprehensive database of past damagefor future reference.As part of the effort, researchers carried out detailed micro-structuraland mechanical characterization of steel boilertubes, Hellner said. Cracking and toughness tests were performedon a large number of tube samples.Researchers also conducted blasting tests, including 97experiments with different explosive parameters and tubeconditions. With these tests, the team characterized and documentedthe nature of the tube failures.“By contributing to a good understanding of the complexinteractions between explosion-generated shock waves, slagdeposits and boiler tubing, the project developed a solid backgroundand a large experimental database,” he said.The research findings have provided the industry with afar better understanding of the damage that can result fromthe proximity and strength of a charge, he said, along with animproved understanding of the number of cycles necessary tocause significant damage.“For Xcel Energy, the research results have helped the companydevelop and deploy optimal explosive cleaning procedures,”Hellner said, “which in turn have greatly reduced the risk of boilertube damage and subsequent unplanned unit outages.”MAY 2013 13

SPRING BLASTXcel Energy responds to destructive South Dakota ice stormAsevere spring ice storm that hit the SiouxFalls area in South Dakota April 9 left about 90,000customers without power – and numerous companyand other crews immediately responded to those outages.In all, more than 380 distribution poles needed to be replaced.And 420 lineman from Xcel Energy, mutual-aid utilitiesand contractors worked 16-hour days to restore serviceto customers.All customers who were impacted, with the exception ofthose waiting for individual premise reconnection from electricians,had their power restored power within four or five days,said Jim Wilcox, principle manager for the area.Crews then continued cleanup work for some time as theimpact of the storm was substantial and also included areasin southwestern Minnesota.Strong winds and freezing rain snapped trees, broke powerpoles and downed power lines as the storm moved throughthe region, he said. And adverse weather conditions continued,resulting in new outages, as crews worked to restoreservice as quickly as possible.The company thanked customers for their patience duringthe challenging restoration process, Wilcox said, andassured them that all available resources are dedicated torestoring power.A number of customers sent out messages of thanks onsocial media. A couple of examples included:• “Thanks so much to all of you for working so hard and insuch nasty and dangerous conditions. You rock!”• “Thanks for the great job you did restoring power to so manypeople as fast as you did. I so appreciate you guys!”Xcel Energy crews from South Dakota, Minnesota andNorth Dakota responded to the effort, as well as contractorsand mutual-aid assistance from Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesotaand Wisconsin. The total workforce eventually toppedmore than 350 workers.“I can’t think of anything that illustrates our dedication tocustomers, professionalism and expertise like our response toa storm,” said Ben Fowke, chairman, president and CEO, in ablog post on XpressNet. “Not surprising, we mobilized crewsimmediately, began extensive communication with customersand hit the ground running.“We also issued a call for mutual aid, and additionalcrews from Minnesota Power, Omaha Public Power District,Kansas City Power & Light and Otter Tail Power arrived inSouth Dakota,” he added. “It’s gratifying to be able to call onour neighboring utilities and to have them come to the rescue– as we have done on many occasions.”“I don’t think you get a real feel for what storm restorationis like until you start hearing stories from the field, suchas getting one of our enormous trucks out of the ditch after thewind slowly but surely blew it off the road or having to replacehundreds of distribution poles, sometimes with the help of localfarmers and their tractors. From my perspective, nobodydoes it better.”14 XTRA MAY 2013

NEWS BRIEFSGrand Forks employees volunteerfor Feed My Starving ChildrenA team of 23 employees from Grand Forks, N.D.,and their family members recently did more thansympathize for others who go hungry, they packedfood for them.Children and adults hand-packed meals specificallyformulated for malnourished children at a FeedMy Starving Children MobilePack event held in April.The meals are shipped to nearly 70 countriesaround the world. Each meal has 20 different vitaminsand minerals that are specifically tailored tomeet a child’s nutritional needs for one day. The XcelEnergy team packed 32 boxes, for a total of 3,456meals.“Participating in the packing event was one ofthe most rewarding volunteer projects I have done,”said volunteer Caleb Bernard, senior designer inGrand Forks. “It is difficult to think of children whogo hungry every day. It makes me feel good to think Iwas able to make a small difference to help someoneacross the world not go hungry.”Xcel Energy rebuilding portionsof electric grid in Park Hill areaICE STORMA severe ice storm in South Dakota took out morethan 380 distribution poles, and 420 lineman fromXcel Energy, mutual-aid utilities and contractorsworked 16-hour days to restore service to customers.Snowy and cold conditions extended for a dayor two as crews worked to return service to about90,000 customers.Xcel Energy is continuing to rebuild a portionof its electric distribution system, which will includethe retirement of a substation in the Park Hill area ofDenver.The work is being performed to upgrade equipmentin the area and improve reliability. The firstpart of the current effort is expected to be completedthis month, and also will include the replacement ofnearly three dozen wood poles and wire conductor.Xcel Energy will replace the existing poles withnew wood structures that will have a vertical configuration(no perpendicular cross arms). Once otherutilities have completed moving their equipment(primarily telephone and cable where applicable),the original poles will be removed and taken away,and the area will be returned to its original state.Efforts this summer mark the second of threeupgrade phases in Park Hill. Two years ago, XcelEnergy completed similar replacement of poles andwire conductor in the area.The rest of the work this summer – which willalso include replacing wood poles and wire conductor– will take place primarily in alleys and non-majorthoroughfare areas in Park Hill, and should not greatlyimpact customers or traffic in the area.MAY 2013 15

Lakatos puts‘Dollars for Doing’to work for agood causeVince Lakatos could have played footballin high school and probably would have been quitegood. But he decided to try volleyball instead.He’s been playing ever since, and hundreds of young playershave benefited from his decision over the decades.Lakatos, a gas technician in Ashland, Wis., eventuallydid become a talented volleyball player. Talented enough toreceive scholarship offers to universities such as Pepperdineand Ball State.However, his parents, recent immigrants from Hungary atthe time, didn’t understand how the system worked and decidedcollege would not be for him.“I decided to dedicate myself to coaching young athletesin volleyball so no one else would have to go through the samething that I did,” he said. “My wife and I have ended up creatingan information system and training program that createscollege opportunities for our student athletes.”Lakatos considers himself not only a volleyball coach, buta life coach of sorts, as well. He works with plenty of athletesthat wouldn’t normally have the opportunity.“We want to instill in our players that, ‘This is possible,’”he said. “They come to learn the game, and then they realize16 XTRA MAY 2013

COACHINGVince Lakatos dedicates up to 20 hours a week tocoaching youth volleyball during peak season.Through the company’s Dollars for Doing program,which donates $10 to the cause for every hourlogged volunteering up to 100 hours annually, Lakatoshas put $1,000 a year toward his coaching efforts.they may have a real future in the sport in college, too. Andeither way, we want to be there for the kids to provide supportand confidence building.”Lakatos played volleyball in high school in Racine, Wis.He eventually ended up playing in the U.S. Volleyball Associationat a high level, with and against some of the best playersin the country, such as fellow Hungarian Karch Karily. U.S.Olympian Kiraly is the only person to have won Olympic medalsin both the indoor and beach volleyball events.Lakatos has since coached boys’ and girls’ volleyball inWisconsin, from kindergarten through college age. He supportsnonprofit efforts such as Club Volleyball in Ashland.“I love the sport,” he said. “And it’s so gratifying to giveback to it.“The best thing is the results – seeing these kids personalizethe game as their own, and grow in the sport and theirlives,” he added. “They gain confidence from their successesand failures, trials and tribulations, and gain life skills.”Another ‘best thing’ for Lakatos is Xcel Energy’s Dollarsfor Doing program, which he takes full advantage of to helphis community.“I thank the company for the opportunity to use Dollarsfor Doing,” he said. “We have secured pads, bleachers andscoreboards thanks to support from the company’s effort.”Lakatos dedicates up to 20 hours a week to coachingyouth volleyball during peak season. He has coached morethan 700 girls over the last 14 years.Through its Dollars for Doing program, Xcel Energy donates$10 to the cause for every hour logged volunteering, upto 100 hours annually. That’s $1,000 a year Lakatos puts towardhis coaching efforts.“There are so many kids left behind because of the cost,”Lakatos said. “Through Dollars for Doing, they’re able to havethe right equipment.“We filled the gym with bleachers for the first time ever,”he added. “We were able to put a scoreboard up, and thingsjust blossomed from there.”Lakatos loves to coach, regularly working with groupsof 50 players and helping younger coaches perfect theirskills, too. But he admits he has extra motivation to get girlsinto college.“I thank the companyfor the opportunity touse Dollars for Doing.““I have the coaching talent to elevate others’ careers, andI didn’t get that chance,” Lakatos said. “I’m thankful for thatopportunity.”Lakatos will continue to coach and credit the Dollars forDoing program in part for his success. He just hopes morepeople will take advantage of the benefit in the future.“This resource isn’t being used as much as it should be,”he said. “It’s so easy to get involved. I appreciate the programand hope more people get involved and support effortsin their communities.”To learn more about the Xcel Energy Foundation Dollarsfor Doing program and get an application form, search “Dollarsfor Doing” on XpressNet.MAY 2013 17

PEOPLEFRIENDS WE’LL MISSFred E. Benjamin69, electrician specialist, Maintenance,Cherokee Generating Station, Denver,Colo., died on Feb. 28, 2013. He workedfor PSCo from 1967 to 2003.Harry P. Bilderback88, gas fitter, Gas Operations, Eau Claire,Wis., died on March 18, 2013. He workedfor NSP from 1962 to 1986.Robert J. Castellari80, extension policy specialist, CustomerService, Colorado, died on Feb. 28, 2013.He worked for PSCo from 1959 to 1994.Elsie M. Crayne92, bookkeeper, Employee Relations,Colorado, died on March 25, 2013. Sheworked for PSCo from 1954 to 1983.Eugene H. Daly78, lead regulator man, died on March 8,2013. He worked for NSP from 1953to 1997.Robert K. Decker90, district manager, Commerce City,Colo.,, died on March 9, 2013. He workedfor PSCo from 1946 to 1985.Myrtle F. Dunning84, line crew foreman, Electric Construction,died on March 9, 2013. He workedfor NSP from 1952 to 1987.K.A. Elmgreen90, trouble repairman, Evergreen, Colo.,died on July 25, 2012. He worked for PSCofrom 1946 to 1983.Roy C. Erickson89, line crew foreman, Electric, FargoService Center, Fargo, N.D., died onMarch 4, 2013. He worked for NSP from1953 to 1989.Thomas H. Erickson58, chief operating maintenance technician,Facility Services, General Office,Minneapolis, Minn., died on May 25, 2012.He worked for NSP from 1978 to 2011.Anthony S. Gago54, lineman journeyman, Construction,Phillips Service Center, Phillips, Wis.,died on March 12, 2013. He worked forNSP from 1978 to 2013.Gerald M. Goblirsch69, principal production engineer, PerformanceMonitoring, Chestnut ServiceCenter, Minneapolis, Minn., died on Mar.6, 2013. He worked for Xcel Energy from1984 to 2004.Hal Hall63, tool room attendant, Construction,Holly Service Center, Colorado, died onMarch 4, 2013. He worked for PSCo from1973 to 2009.Norris E. Hunter80, credit clerk, Credit and Collections,died on March 14, 2013. He worked forNSP from 1957 to 1989.Gerald F. Jacobs83, trouble foreman, died on Feb. 28, 2013.He worked for NSP from 1966 to 1992.Richard Jaroscak89, manager, Substation Construction,Overheads, General Office, Minneapolis,Minn., died on Dec. 31, 2013. He workedfor NSP from 1946 to 1984.Charles W. Kelman66, gas emergency dispatcher, ElectricDistribution, Lipan Distribution Center,Denver, Colo., died on March 14, 2013. Heworked for PSCo from 1970 to 2003.Ronald G. Lano82, district superintendent, Electric Construction,Waconia Service Center, Minnetonka,Minn., died on March 6, 2013. Heworked for NSP from 1957 to 1988.Gerald J. Nelson75, shift supervisor, Operations, ShercoPlant, Becker, Minn., died on Jan. 30,2013. He worked for NSP from 1967to 2003.Eugene C. Newkirk93, shipping & receiving clerk, Engineering,Colorado, died on Jan. 24, 2013. Heworked for PSCo from 1947 to 1983.Kenneth W. Osborne75, production manager, Product Management-South,SPS Tower, Amarillo,Texas, died on Feb. 10, 2013. He workedfor Xcel Energy from 1962 to 1998.Jerome R. Perry75, right of way agent, Siting and LandRights, Eau Claire, Wis., died on Feb. 28,2013. He worked for Xcel Energy from1992 to 2002.Marion L. Richardson82, gas fitter, Gas Operations, Colorado,died on March 19, 2013. He worked forPSCo from 1954 to 1986.James M. Ritter82, engineer, Distribution Engineering,died on Feb. 16, 2013. He worked for NSPfrom 1958 to 1988.David L. Shore86, customer service representative,Brooklyn Center Service Center, Minnesota,died on March 14, 2013. He workedfor NSP from 1952 to 1986.Mark L. Stoneberg58, line crew foreman, Electric Operations,Maple Grove Service Center, MapleGrove, Minn., died on March 3, 2013. Heworked for NSP from 1973 to 2013.Larry A. Swanson58, seasonal locator, Damage Prevention,Fargo Service Center, Fargo, N.D., died onMarch 1, 2013. He worked for NSP from1995 to 2010.William N. Umbarger82, senior fitter serviceman, Gas Operations,Boulder, Colo., died on Feb. 22,2013. He worked for PSCo from 1957 to1986.Robert W. Walters82, production administrator, Transmission,General Office, Minneapolis, Minn.,died on Feb. 28, 2013. He worked for NSPfrom 1949 to 1988.18 XTRA MAY 2013

PEOPLERETIRINGRebecca (Becka) Anders(beckaanders@comcast.net), communicationsconsultant, Public Policy &External Affairs, GO, Minneapolis, Minn.,retired on April 1, 2013. She worked forXcel Energy for 27 years.Pete Backoplanner, Design, Arvada, Colo., retiredon March 29, 2013. He worked for XcelEnergy for 39 years.David J. Beacon(dbeacon@yahoo.com), senior investigator,General Counsel, 1800 Larimer,Denver, Colo., retired in 2013.Rockie L. Bliss(travelisbliss@q.com), coal working foreman,Production, Valmont Power Plant,Boulder, Colo., retired on April 26, 2013.He worked for Xcel Energy for 34 years.Mark Burrow(wheelsburrow@msn.com), maintenancespecialist/certified welder, Energy Supply,Fort St. Vrain Generating Station,Platteville, Colo., retires on May 31, 2013.He worked for Xcel Energy for 36 years.Richard W. Cichon(rwcichon@hbci.com), Winona Electric,Winona, Minn., retired on May 6, 2013. Heworked for Xcel Energy for 32 years.Joseph L. Coleman(jdcoleman33330@aol.com), warehousemanin charge, Stores, Wyoming, Minn.,retires on May 31, 2013. He worked forXcel Energy for 33 years.David Edmisson(daveedmisson@gmail.com), plant overlandmanager, Reliability Services, OverhaulManagement, Comanche Station,Pueblo, Colo., retired on May 17, 2013. Heworked for Xcel Energy for 40 years.Donald C. Gibbons(dgibbons@suddenlink.net), control roomoperator “A,” Energy Supply Operations,Nichols Station, Amarillo, Texas, retiredon March 29, 2013. He worked for XcelEnergy for 42 years.Jim Gore(jimgr75@gmail.com), senior technicalinstructor, Energy Supply TechnicalTraining, Harrington Training Center,Amarillo, Texas, retired on May 10, 2013.He worked for 37 years.Mike Hall(Michael.e.hall@icloud.com), proceduresmanager, Business Support, PrairieIsland Nuclear Generating Plant, RedWing, Minn., retired on April 15, 2013. Heworked for Xcel Energy for 30 years.Cathy J. Hart(cathyj.hart@gmail.com), vice presidentand corporate secretary, Corporate Services,General Office, Minneapolis, Minn.,retires on May 31, 2013. She worked forXcel Energy for 23 years.Gary Hill(dmh220760@msn.com), mechanicspecialist apprentice, Maintenance, Fort.St. Vrain Generating Station, Platteville,Colo., retires on May 31, 2013. He workedfor Xcel Energy for 31 years.Dan James(james_gang2@msn.com), manager pricing& planning, Regulatory, 1800 Larimer,Denver, Colo., retired on Feb. 15, 2013. Heworked for Xcel Energy for 28 years.Walter Lee Kenshalo(wlkbkk@gmail.com), manager, SubstationsO&M, Colorado Geographic & SystemTesting, Summit County OperationsCenter, Silverthorne, Colo., retired onApril 30, 2013. He worked for Xcel Energyfor 43 years.Noel Mattison(ntmattison@gmail.com), project director,1800 Larimer, Denver, Colo., retired onMarch 31, 2013. She worked for XcelEnergy for 25 years.Douglas Maxeysenior product portfolio manager, DSMMarketing, Amarillo, Texas, retired onApril 30, 2013. He worked for Xcel Energyfor 37 years.Davis B. Mays(bmays1@msn.com), business analyst,Thermal Energy Department, DenverSteam Plant, Denver, Colo., retired onApril 12, 2013. He worked for Xcel Energyfor 41 years.Kenneth E. McCaslinworking foreman, Canyon Line, Canyon,Texas, retired on April 1, 2013. He workedfor Xcel Energy for 36 years.Kenneth D. Smithjourneyman meterman, Amarillo MeterDept., Northeast Service Center, Amarillo,Texas, retired on April 16, 2013. Heworked for Xcel Energy for 37 years.Leon Tanckarea service representative, Vega, Texas,retired on April 1, 2013. He worked forXcel Energy for 44 years.Althea Thimmeschsenior cash management analyst, CashManagement, GO, Minneapolis, Minn.,retires on May 31, 2013. She worked forXcel Energy for 44 years.Gary Wehselessystem field technician, Breaker, ShorewoodService Center, retired on April 30,2013. He worked for Xcel Energy for 27years.Xtra retiree web portalavailable on xcelenergy.comThe latest issue of Xtra is postedeach month on a webpage on the company’swebsite at: xcelenergy.com/retirees.Retirees and employees are invitedto 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 tovarious utility shareholder groups.MAY 2013 19

414 Nicollet Mall,GO-7Minneapolis, MN 55401xcelenergy.comPRSRT STDUS POSTAGEPAIDDENVER COPERMIT NO 1818XTRAPublished monthly by Xcel EnergyKevin Graham, Editor1800 Larimer Street, 16th FloorDenver, CO 80202Phone: 303-294-2417Fax: 303-294-2968email: Kevin.Graham@xcelenergy.comContributors: Kelly Simonand Carrie KruegerDesign: Steve BerryRECYCLEOLD FRIDGEyourNEW for MONEYsomeEARN $50 THE EASY WAY. If you have an inefficientworking refrigerator or freezer, it could be wasting up to $100 inenergy every year. Why not call Xcel Energy today and ask us to haulit away and recycle it? It’s a good move for the environment, and it’sas simple as giving us a call. We’ll pick it up free of charge…we’ll evenpay you $50.xcelenergy.com© 2013 Xcel Energy Inc.Visit ResponsibleByNature.com/Fridge or call1-866-552-8755 to learn more.The program is not available in all markets and rebate amounts may vary.