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)
APRIL 21, 1998
NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
MINNESOTA
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
1-3034 41-0448030
(Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification
No.)
414 NICOLLET MALL, MPLS, MN 55401
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code 612-330-5500
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
On April 21, 1998, NSP's subsidiary, Viking Gas Transmission
Company (Viking), withdrew from participation in the proposed
Viking Voyageur pipeline project, which would have carried
natural gas from Emerson, Manitoba, to Joliet, Ill., allowing
communities along the way in Minnesota and Wisconsin to tap into
it. The pipeline had been scheduled to begin service on November
1, 1999.
Projections show that natural gas demand in the upper Midwest
will rise sharply in the years ahead, and the project has
received strong support from businesses, economic development
groups, gas distribution companies and state energy agencies.
Although Viking believes a pipeline project will go forward in
the future to meet this demand, the Voyageur proposal did not
receive the necessary support to make the project viable at this
time under the proposed schedule.
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SIGNATURES
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.
Northern States Power
Company
(a Minnesota Corporation)
By /S/
Edward J. McIntyre
Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
Dated: April 22, 1998
