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,rep 15 04 05:21p Sweeney 6512235289 p.2 <br />Fredrikson <br />September 14, 2004 <br />Patrick 5. Sweeney <br />Sweeney Borer & Sweeney <br />Attorneys at Law <br />Blackturn Professional Building <br />3250 Rice Street <br />St. Paul, MN 55126 <br />Re: Xcel Energy — Rice Street Substation <br />Dear Mr. Sweeney: <br />After our meeting in July, Xcel Energy contacted additional employees regarding NSP's <br />historical use of the Rice Street Substation. This investigation confirmed Xcel Energy's intitial <br />conclusion — NSP /Xcel Energy has used the Substation to store equipment, including tree <br />trimming trucks, since before 1964. <br />During our meeting, a question arose as to why some members of the community believe <br />NSP began storing the tree trimming vehicles at the Substation in the 1970s or 1980s, Xcel <br />Energy has looked into that issue as well. In the 1970s, NSP instituted changes to its tree <br />trimming process to a more efficient and cost effective approach. The new approach entailed use <br />of external suppliers rather than NSP or Xcel Energy resources. The external supplier's trucks <br />were marked with NSP or Xcel Energy signage, but may have looked different than the trucks <br />that had been previously used by NSP. Many of the new trucks were a different color. It is, <br />entirely possible that the citizen referenced at our meeting simply noticed the new trucks, The <br />important facts remain the same — NSP /Xcel Energy has used the Substation to store equipment, <br />including tree trimming trucks, since before 1964. <br />Xcel Energy has also confirmed that it stores tree trimming trucks at other substations <br />and has not had a problem with this issue with any other municipality. All of us have an interest <br />in the efficient maintenance and safe operation of the electrical h•ansmission and distribution <br />system that serves the metro area. <br />Attorneys & Advisors <br />main 612.492.7000 <br />fax 612.492.7077 <br />www.frediaw.com <br />200 South Sixth Street <br />Suite 4000 <br />Minneapolis, Minnesota <br />55402 -1425 <br />OfftCES: fvi nn eapolis..ondon A?FI LIATES: M exico Ci ly, Warsevr. Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver <br />- 4 1 - <br />