Carl Parry, President and CEO, Utilities Service Alliance, Inc. (USA), has announced that Xcel Energy and USA have agreed to assign Scott Northard to the staff position of USA Director of Fukushima Response. Scott will remain an Xcel Energy employee but will report to the USA Director of Operational Performance, John Christensen. In his new role, Scott will be responsible for developing cost effective solutions for the USA fleet in addressing the regulatory and industry response to the accident at Fukushima. A former SRO, Scott holds a BS in Nuclear Engineering and has over 35 years of commercial nuclear management experience including a tour as Plant Manager at Prairie Island. Scott will continue to maintain an office at Xcel Energy’s Marquette Plaza location.