FALSEXCEL ENERGY INC0000072903MNSOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY0000092521NM00000729032024-04-112024-04-110000072903xel:SOUTHWESTERNPUBLICSERVICECOMember2024-04-112024-04-11



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) April 11, 2024
Commission File NumberExact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter; State of Incorporation; Address of Principal Executive Offices; and Telephone NumberIRS Employer Identification Number
001-3034XCEL ENERGY INC.41-0448030
(a Minnesota corporation)
414 Nicollet Mall
MinneapolisMinnesota55401
(612)330-5500
001-03789SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY75-0575400
(a New Mexico corporation)
790 South Buchanan Street
AmarilloTexas79101
(303)571-7511

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading SymbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $2.50 par value per shareXELNasdaq Stock Market LLC
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).
Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. £




Item 8.01. Other Events
In 2023, Southwestern Public Service Company (SPS), a New Mexico corporation, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Xcel Energy Inc., filed an electric rate case with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) seeking an increase in base rate revenue of $158 million (14%).
The request was based on a return on equity (ROE) of 10.65%, an equity ratio of 54.6%, a retail rate base of $3.6 billion and a change in the Tolk coal plant depreciation life from 2034 to 2028. SPS is requesting a surcharge from July 13, 2023 through the effective date of new base rates.
In December 2023, SPS, PUCT Staff and intervenors filed a black box settlement. Key terms include:
•A base rate increase of $65 million effective back to July 13, 2023.
•A 9.55% ROE, a 54.51% equity ratio and a 7.11% weighted average cost of capital (WACC) for purposes of calculating SPS’ allowance for funds used during construction and in other proceedings filed before the PUCT where a stated WACC is required.
•The reflection in rates of the retirement of Tolk Generation Station from 2034 to 2028.
•Establishment of a rate rider of approximately $18 million to be recovered over a three-year period for various deferred expenses.
Interim rates based on the settlement went into effect on February 1, 2024.
On April 11, 2024, the PUCT unanimously approved the settlement without modification.




SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

April 11, 2024
Xcel Energy Inc. (a Minnesota corporation)
Southwestern Public Service Company (a New Mexico corporation)
/s/ BRIAN J. VAN ABEL
Brian J. Van Abel
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer