On March 12, 2004, Standard&Poor's Ratings Services affirmed its 'BBB' long-term corporate credit ratings on Xcel Energy Inc. and its utility subsidiaries, Northern States Power (Minnesota), Public Service Co. of Colorado, and Southwest Public Service Co. (SPS), and also affirmed its 'BBB+' corporate credit rating on subsidiary Northern States Power (Wisconsin). Standard&Poor's also removed the long-term corporate credit ratings on the companies from CreditWatch. The 'A-2' short-term corporate credit ratings were not on CreditWatch. The long-term ratings on the companies were originally placed on CreditWatch with negative implications in July 2002, as a result of the financial instability of former subsidiary NRG Energy Inc. The CreditWatch implications were revised to developing in August 2002, and then
