8-K

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) August 22, 2017

Commission File Number	Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter; State of Incorporation; Address of Principal Executive Offices; and Telephone Number	IRS Employer Identification Number
001-3034	XCEL ENERGY INC. (a Minnesota corporation) 414 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401 (612) 330-5500	41-0448030

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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):

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

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

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

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

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 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(d) Election of Director.

On August 22, 2017, the Board of Directors of Xcel Energy Inc. (the Company) elected David Owens to the Board of Directors, for a term expiring at the Company’s 2018 annual meeting of shareholders. Mr. Owens will serve on the Finance Committee and the Operations, Nuclear, Environmental and Safety Committee (ONES). Mr. Owens will receive compensation for his Board service consistent with the compensation received by the Company’s other non-employee directors, as disclosed in the Company’s Schedule 14A, Definitive Proxy Statement filed on April 4, 2017 (file no. 001-03034), prorated from the commencement of his service on the Board to the date of the 2018 annual shareholders meeting.

A copy of the News Release announcing this change to the Board of Directors is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.01.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit	Description
99.01	Press Release dated August 22, 2017.

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.

August 22, 2017	Xcel Energy Inc. (a Minnesota corporation)
By:
	/s/ Judy M. Poferl
	Judy M. Poferl
	Senior Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Executive Services

Exhibit Index

Exhibit	Description
99.01	Press Release dated August 22, 2017.

EX-99.01

Xcel Energy Media Relations 414 Nicollet Mall, 401-7 Minneapolis, MN 55401 (612) 215-5300 www.xcelenergy.com

Xcel Energy board elects new board member

Minneapolis Aug. 22, 2017—David K. Owens has been elected to Xcel Energy’s board of directors effective immediately. An executive with extensive experience in public policies concerning energy and utility operations, Owens is recognized as an industry expert on business transformation.

After 36 years of service, Owens recently retired from the Edison Electric Institute, the association representing all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. He served as an Executive Vice President with EEI and was the first African-American to hold an officer title with the organization. Owens guided the association on issues affecting the future structure of the electric industry and the new rules in evolving competitive markets. He also spearheaded efforts to invest in the nation’s electric infrastructure with new technology enhancing energy efficiency with smart buildings, smart meters and smart grids.

“We welcome David to the board and look forward to the contributions he will make as a member of our tremendously talented team of directors,” said Ben Fowke, chairman, president and CEO of Xcel Energy. “David’s forward-thinking approach, extensive public policy experience and knowledge of innovative technologies will serve Xcel Energy well.”

Before joining EEI, Owens served as Chief Engineer for the Division of Rates and Corporate Regulation with the Securities and Exchange Commission where he actively participated in landmark proceedings involving utility mergers, electric integration issues and utility financial disclosure.

A driving force behind the founding of the American Association of Blacks in Energy, Owens has mentored generations of young men and women pursuing careers in energy. He served on Boards of the National Academy of Sciences and chaired the National Institute of Standards and Technology Smart Grid Advisory Committee. Owens is a graduate of Howard University with a Bachelor and Masters of Engineering degrees, as well as a Masters in Engineering Administration from George Washington University.

# # #

About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.