Majority of work can be completed in 2014

Ashland, Wis. - Officials from NSP-Wisconsin, an Xcel Energy company, have
submitted plans to the Environmental Protection Agency and Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources for the remediation of the land and groundwater portions of the Ashland Lakefront
Project. The plan outlines remediation methods to remove and treat soils and groundwater in
the Upper Bluff, filled ravine and filled lakebed (referred to as the "Kreher Park area") of the
site. These areas were impacted by industrial and municipal activities over the past century
including lumber and rail operations, wood treatment facilities, municipal sewer/culvert/road
development, a manufactured gas plant, industrial construction and a city-owned landfill.

"This plan was developed in consultation with the EPA and WDNR over the last two
years on how to safely remove and treat soils and groundwater in the area while minimizing
impacts to the community and nearby residents," said David Donovan, project manager, NSPWisconsin.

"We have heard consistently from the community that they would like to move this
project forward. With timely approvals from the regulatory agencies, and coordination with the
City, the primary construction work can be completed in 2014."

The primary construction work includes the installation of a containment wall around
what is referred to as the "Kreher Park area" and excavation and thermal treatment of highly
impacted soils. In addition, the plan will be coordinated to support a wet dredge pilot test of the
near shore sediments this fall. Work in 2015 will include restoring the area for future use and
construction of a groundwater recovery pump-and-treat system.

As part of the project, a temporary, tent-like structure will be located on the northeast corner of the site to pre-process soils, materials and debris before thermal treatment. This structure will help minimize visual and environmental impacts of the remediation process. Plans approved by state and federal regulatory agencies will be in place for monitoring and reporting air and odor impacts.

To prepare for the thermal treatment system, the company is installing a dedicated 4-inch natural gas pipe to the site this spring. The thermal treatment process involves heating impacted soils up to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit to burn off any contaminants and make the treated soil suitable for reuse.

"We hope to complete the primary construction work in 2014," Donovan said. "We look forward to further discussions with the agencies and other stakeholders to ensure that the project stays on schedule."

The company is planning a series of public meetings in the coming weeks to discuss the project and answer questions from residents. For more information on the project and a list of public meetings when they are available, please visit the Ashland Project.

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