Xcel Energy Inc. will be the name of the holding company createdby the merger of Denver-based New Century Energies and NorthernStates Power Co. of Minneapolis.

James Howard, who currently is chairman and CEO of NorthernStates Power and who will be the chairman of the combined company,said, “Xcel Energy is a broad umbrella name that we believe setsthe tone for the kind of company we want to be.” New CenturyEnergies President Wayne Brunetti, who will become the CEO of XcelEnergy at the completion of the merger, said the new name wasselected to build a strong brand position for the future.

NSP and NCE announced in late March their plans to merge,expecting the transaction to be complete in 12 to 18 months fromthat time.

Northern States Power provides electricity to about 1.5 millioncustomers in portions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota,Michigan and South Dakota. It distributes natural gas to more than475,000 customers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Michiganand Arizona. New Century Energies serves about 1.6 millionelectricity customers and more than a million natural gas customersin Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, Wyoming, Kansas and Oklahoma.

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