The United States Department of Energy (DOE) and Xcel Energy have announced a partnership to provide Federal facilities in Colorado with 100% carbon pollution-free electricity (CFE) by 2030. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by the two organizations marks the second such partnership announced by the Biden-Harris Administration in support of the Government's sustainability goals.
The collaboration aligns with President Biden's commitment to catalyze clean-energy industries and create jobs through initiatives to achieve net-zero, in line with the Administration's goals of a carbon pollution-free electricity sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy-wide by 2050.
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The partnership between DOE and Xcel Energy will commence a three-month work period to develop a plan that will mean Federal customers are supplied with 100% CFE by 2030 on an annual basis, with at least 50% CFE every day. The plan includes Federal facilities in Xcel Energy's Colorado operating region, which include the Denver Federal Center in Lakewood and the DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory campuses in Golden and Arvada.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy David M. Turk said that the partnership with Xcel Energy would demonstrate to Colorado energy producers and consumers what is possible in the transition to clean energy. Xcel Energy Chairman, President and CEO Bob Frenzel also praised the partnership, saying that it was a model for collaboration with other federal and state agencies as well as all customers on innovative solutions to help customers achieve their carbon-free goals.
The MOU between DOE and Xcel Energy is just one example of how clean energy utilities are powering the federal government with 100% carbon-free electricity in line with President Biden's Federal Sustainability Plan. The move is also expected to catalyze new clean energy jobs, technologies, and markets across the country.
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With GSA and Entergy Arkansas LLC having signed a similar MOU in November, the Biden-Harris Administration's partnership with Xcel Energy further establishes the Federal Government as a leader in sustainability, setting an example for the nation to meet its clean energy goals. The General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator Robin Carnahan said that GSA looked forward to building on this progress by partnering with utilities around the country and using their buying power to spur demand for clean, reliable, and affordable energy for American businesses and families.
The DOE and Xcel Energy partnership is a step in the right direction towards a cleaner, more sustainable future. As the Government works with the private sector across the country to lead the way on sustainability, it is hoped that more collaborations like this will be established to achieve the nation's clean energy goals.
