Study: Mpls. can reduce emissions and stay with Xcel

A study has found Minneapolis can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions without going through the expensive process of creating its own electric utility.

Minneapolis commissioned the $250,000 study last year amid a push from environmentalists to end the city's relationship with Xcel Energy.

The study recommended the city instead negotiate an agreement with Xcel to buy greener forms of energy. John Farrell, a spokesman for the group Minneapolis Energy Options, said that could be a good compromise.

"You know, it wouldn't involve shaking things up too much, but on the other hand it would really give a chance for the utilities to come forward and offer what they can do to help the city meet its energy goals," he said.

A proposed referendum that would have authorized the city to pursue creating its own electric utility fizzled last year in the face of strenuous opposition from Xcel.

The company pledged to pursue a variety of green energy initiatives in exchange for keeping the referendum off the November ballot.

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