Becker Mayor: Sherco Announcement a ‘Staggering Blow’

BECKER - We told you on Friday that Xcel Energy is planning on shutting down two of the three coal-fired units at the Sherco power plant in Becker. They'll be retired in 2023 and 2026.

Becker Mayor Lefty Kleis says the job losses will hurt the community.

Good news, bad news. We'll be losing about 150 full time jobs at Xcel Energy. Many of the jobs we're told is going to be through attrition and retirements. And the rest they'll be reassigning them within Xcel.

Kleis says the good news is Xcel Energy plans to convert unit 2 to natural gas by 2026.

The reinvestment in the site means it will continue to generate a property tax base for Becker. Kleis says Xcel Energy is also committed to continuing to provide steam to Liberty Paper in Becker.