FORT COLLINS - Xcel Energy said today that it will begin significant
construction on approximately six miles of natural gas pipeline in Fort Collins,
including some areas of major work over the course of approximately the next two
weeks, through West Main Natural Gas Pipeline Replacement Project.

Xcel Energy announced the multi-year program in 2012, an investment to
modernize its natural gas infrastructure. Total investment in the West Main project
will be $140 million, with the company installing or replacing approximately 77
miles of natural gas transmission pipeline in Larimer, Weld and Boulder counties.

This year's efforts in Fort Collins will continue through September. The
projects throughout northern Colorado have and will include some distribution
pipeline work; all work is expected to be completed by the end of 2016. Blackeagle
Energy Services, based in Berthoud, Colo., is the general contractor for the pipeline
replacement effort.

Xcel Energy's plans for this year will include:
• An area of intensive work is underway to install pipeline by directional boring
along Drake Road between Silver Creek Drive and South Timberline Road.
This work is taking place 24 hours a day and seven days a week beginning
April 21. Construction noise and light can be expected. There will be a full
closure of the eastbound lanes of Drake Road between Silver Creek Drive
and South Timberline Road. The westbound lanes will remain open. Drivers
should plan to use alternate routes, except for local traffic. The company
expects this intensive 24 hour per day work to last at two weeks, with
additional work to continue after the two week full eastbound closure period.

• Crews have installed pipeline along Thunderbird Drive between College
Avenue and Mathews Street, and along Mathews Street between Thunderbird
Drive and East Drake Road. This crew will begin installing pipeline beneath
College Avenue along Thunderbird Drive, using directional boring. After this
crew has completed work in this area, it will continue working east along
East Drake Road.

• Another crew also is installing pipeline, by using directional boring, along
East Drake Road between Matthews Street and South Lemay Avenue. Twoway
traffic is maintained in the two northern lanes of East Drake Road, but
the southern eastbound lanes are closed. Access to side streets from the
southern lanes of East Drake Road is also closed in this area; however, access
to these areas is maintained by alternative routes from the south. We expect
work in this area to last until late June. This crew will also continue working
in East Drake Road east of South Lemay Avenue.

• A crew is currently installing pipeline by directional boring beneath East Vine
Drive. After this crew has finished the bore, it will continue installing pipeline
heading south along the pipeline route toward South Timberline Road. Work
in this area is taking place outside of the roadway and we do not expect any
impacts to traffic.

In all locations, Xcel Energy is expecting the potential for significant traffic
delays, and encouraging local residents to consider alternative routes for travel.
Work hours generally are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, except
where otherwise noted above. Flaggers and other traffic control measures will
maintain traffic in most locations along affected routes.

The West Main Natural Gas Pipeline Replacement Project, when completed
in 2016, will ensure reliable and safe natural gas service from the company along the
Front Range. Before beginning construction, the company works closely with local
city, county and other government officials - as well as with those who will be
directly impacted - in order to incorporate all feedback as Xcel Energy finalizes the
design and construction plans.

More information about the project and construction can be obtained at
xcelenergywestmainpipeline.com/ , or by sending a question to
info@xcelenergywestmainpipeline.com or by calling 1-855-875-7633.

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