NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) June 1, 2005--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today it assigned its 'A-2' rating to the $600 million 4(2) commercial paper program of Xcel Energy Inc. In addition, a short-term corporate credit rating of 'A-2' was assigned to the company. Minnesota-based Xcel Energy had about $7 billion in debt outstanding as of Dec. 31, 2004. The commercial paper program is 100% backed by a $600 million revolving credit facility that matures in November 2009. With the agreement of two-thirds of the lenders, the credit facility can be extended by one year. The commercial paper will be privately placed and note maturities may be as long as 364 days. "The program is expected to improve short-term
