The Minnesota Department of Commerce is inviting the public to comment on the adequacy of the final supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) that Commerce has prepared for Xcel Energy’s proposed change in spent fuel storage technology at the Prairie Island Nuclear Plant.   

Commerce will use the public’s comments in determining the adequacy of the final SEIS. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will utilize the final SEIS in making its decision on Xcel’s request for a change in spent fuel storage technology.  

Comments from the public will be accepted through May 10, 2022.  

Comments on the adequacy of the final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement can be sent to the project environmental review manager, Ray Kirsch, by mail or email: 

Ray Kirsch
Minnesota Department of Commerce
85 7th Place East, Suite 280
St. Paul, MN   55101
raymond.kirsch@state.mn.us 

PRAIRIE ISLAND NUCLEAR PLANT SPENT FUEL STORAGE   

Xcel Energy proposes to use a different spent fuel storage technology in the Prairie Island nuclear plant. Xcel proposes to use any fuel storage cask approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission at the Prairie Island independent spent fuel storage installation, rather than being limited to the TN-40HT casks approved by the PUC in 2009. Xcel would select from cask designs approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission based on considerations including price and compatibility with future offsite storage facilities.  

FINAL SEIS AVAILABLE ONLINE AND IN PERSON:  

The final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement is available online: 

• On the PUC’s website at mn.gov/puc, select eDockets, enter the year (08) and the docket number (510), and select Search. 
• On Commerce’s website: mn.gov/commerce/energyfacilities, select Power Plants, and then select Prairie Island Nuclear Plant Spent Fuel Storage. 

The SEIS is also available at the Red Wing Public Library, 225 East Ave., Red Wing, MN 55066. 

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Mo Schriner, Communications Director 
Minnesota Department of Commerce 
mo.schriner@state.mn.us