The U.S. Department of Energy joined forces with Xcel Energy to provide federal facilities in Colorado with electricity that is completely free of carbon pollution by 2030.
The memorandum of understanding is the second of this type of partnership announced, according to an April 21 news release. This action is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to create jobs through the clean-energy industry.
“Together, we will demonstrate to Colorado energy producers and consumers what is possible in the transition to clean energy,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy David M. Turk said in the release.
A three-month work period will begin to develop a plan that ensures federal customers receive 100% CFE annually by 2030, with at least 50% CFE daily, the release reported.
“At DOE, we are on the cutting edge of researching and developing clean-energy technologies, and it makes perfect sense that we partner with a company like Xcel Energy to harness them,” Turk added, according to the release.
Xcel Energy Chairman, President and CEO Bob Frenzel said Xcel Energy is a national leader in the clean energy transition and is constantly looking for new methods of helping its customers meet their sustainability goals, the release reported.
“Today’s commitment to the Department of Energy is a model for collaboration with other federal and state agencies as well as all customers on innovative solutions to help our customers achieve their carbon-free goals,” Frenzel said in the release.
“Today’s MOU shows how America’s clean energy utilities are leaning in to power the federal government with 100% carbon-free electricity in line with President Biden’s Federal Sustainability Plan,” Chief Sustainability Officer with the White House Council on Environmental Quality Andrew Mayock said in the release. “I look forward to seeing this partnership between DOE and Xcel Energy in Colorado replicated across the country, catalyzing new clean energy jobs, technologies and markets.”
U.S. General Services Administration Administrator Robin Carnahan noted this act "marks another milestone that demonstrates the strong momentum behind President Biden's goal to power federal government with 100% carbon pollution-free electricity," the release reported.
“GSA looks forward to building on this progress by partnering with utilities around the country and using our buying power to spur demand for clean, reliable and affordable energy for American businesses and families,” Carnahan added, according to the release.
The Xcel Energy and DOE partnership is a critical step toward achieving clean energy goals and reducing carbon emissions, not just in Colorado but also by setting an example for others to follow, the release reported. By demonstrating the potential of renewable energy sources, this partnership could pave the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future, while also creating new jobs and stimulating economic growth.
