By CEN Staff and Erin M. Mathe

Several hundred Xcel Energy employees in Denver recently heard reassurance from Dick Kelly, the company’s chairman, president and CEO about current issues and the state of the company.

”Let me assure you that while 2009 is going to be a tough year, it doesn’t mean we’re going to abandon our commitments,” Kelly said. “Environmental leadership is still important, as are customer service and community involvement.”

The proof that environmental leadership is still a priority lies in the launch of several new energy efficiency programs under the company’s Demand Side Management (DSM) umbrella. These programs help both residential and business customers in Colorado save energy and money while reducing their carbon footprint.

Over the next two years, these programs will help the company reduce electricity demand on its system by nearly 125 megawatts, which could power 94,000 homes in Colorado and reduce natural gas use by more than 7.2 million therms, which could serve 8,000 - 9,000 homes for a year. 

The following are recently launched, expanded and upcoming efficiency offerings.

 New residential programs:

• Energy efficient heating systems
• Energy efficient water heaters
• Home insulation
• Saver’s Switch (existing air conditioning program with 100,000 participants)

Upcoming residential programs to be launched later this spring:

• Home energy audits
• Multiple energy efficiency upgrades, including replacement of appliances,
  heating/cooling equipment and insulation for new and existing homes
• A program for energy efficient showerheads
• Several educational programs.

New and expanded business programs:

• Furnace Efficiency
• Boiler Efficiency
• Business New Construction
• Process Efficiency
• Self-Directed Custom Efficiency
• Cooling Efficiency
• Energy Management Systems
• Custom Efficiency
• Compressed Air Efficiency
• Recommissioning
• Energy Analysis

Upcoming business programs to be launched later this spring:

• Lighting Efficiency
• Standard Offer
• Small Business Lighting
• Data Center Efficiency
• Energy Efficient Buildings
• Commercial Real Estate
• Motor Efficiency

Xcel Energy will spend $63 million in 2009 and $80 million in 2010 as it seeks to reduce customer demand for electricity and natural gas in Colorado. The programs are expected to save consumers approximately $450 million in 2009-2010.