A decade-long partnership between Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy and Northwest Airlines (NWA) has benefitted both parties extensively. To date, NWA has saved more than 18 million kilowatt-hours. That represents over 24 million pounds of carbon dioxide, or the equivalent of removing 4,000 commuters from our roads. It also adds up to more than $1 million in lower annual energy costs. In addition, NWA has earned more than $1 million in rebates for choosing energy-efficient equipment.

In return, Xcel Energy, which serves 3.4 million electricity customers and 1.9 million natural gas customers in eight Western and Midwestern states, helps a strong local business become even stronger. The efficiency focus also furthers Xcel Energy’s own goal of delivering a reliable, affordable, and environmentally sound energy supply for all of its customers.

• Find out more about this energy-efficiency partnership, which has resulted in annual energy savings of more than $125,000.

Beyond helping their customers to get more value from their electricity dollars, electric company energy-efficiency programs and services also help to defer the need for more power plants, and they help utilities to reduce their carbon emissions today. 

• Read more about the utility industry’s energy-efficiency activities.