The Minnesota Department of Commerce is holding two public scoping meetings and asking the public to submit comments as part of preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) on Xcel Energy’s request to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) for changes at its Prairie Island Nuclear Plant.

The meetings are April 25, 2024, in person at the Red Wing Ignite Building and April 24, 2024, virtually via Webex. More information is posted below. Comments from the public will be accepted through May 9, 2024.

Prairie Island Nuclear Plant Proposal

Xcel Energy has proposed additional storage of spent nuclear fuel at the Prairie Island Nuclear Plant.  The purpose of the meetings is to inform the public about Xcel Energy’s proposed project and gather public comments on impacts and mitigation measures to study in the EIS that will be prepared by the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

The plant is a 1,168-megawatt (MW) electric generating plant powered by two pressurized nuclear water reactors (Units 1 and 2). Spent nuclear fuel from the plant is stored on site.  

Xcel Energy proposes to extend the operating life of the nuclear plant to year 2053 for the plant’s Unit 1 generator and year 2054 for Unit 2 generator. To accommodate the additional spent nuclear fuel associated with this extension, Xcel Energy proposes to expand fuel storage within the plant. This additional storage requires installation of up to two additional concrete storage pads within the existing 5.5-acre fuel storage footprint and would require an additional 34 dry fuel storage systems.  

Under current operations, the Prairie Island Nuclear Plant will use all of its current nuclear spent fuel storage capacity by the year 2033. Xcel Energy indicates that additional storage at the plant is necessary to keep the plant operating through 2054. Xcel Energy states that this extended operation is vital for the company to meet the State of Minnesota’s goal for 100% carbon-free electric energy by 2040. 

Meetings Details: 

In-Person Meeting: 
Thursday, April 25, 2024 – 6 p.m.
Red Wing Ignite Building
Community Room 
419 Bush Street 
Red Wing, MN 55066

Virtual Meeting
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 – 6 p.m.
WebEx: https://minnesota.webex.com/minnesota/j.php?MTID=me9628265404f3d57265f192c1db940ee
Password: uWYjVNHv223
Join by phone
United States Toll: +1-415-655-0003
United States Toll Free: 1-855-282-6330
Access code: 24922969811

Get updates and news from the Minnesota Department of Commerce  at mn.gov/commerce or @MNCommerce on social media.  

Media contacts: 

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