Diversity of geography, fuel, and economies. Regulatory support. Plant operating efficiency. Continuing cost reduction program. Parent company debt increases debt service burden of the utilities. The corporate credit rating on Public Service Co. of Colorado (PSCO) is based on the consolidated credit profile of Xcel Energy Inc., parent company of Northern States Power Co. (NSP-Minnesota), Northern States Power Wisconsin (NSP-Wisconsin), Public Service Co. of Colorado (PSCO), and Southwestern Public Service Co. (SPS). The rating reflects the strength of the utilities' business profile ('4' on a scale of '1' to '10', with '10' being the weakest), which incorporates the generally supportive state regulation that governs each utility's rates, the relatively low-cost power supply and overall fuel diversity, and the broad geographic
