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News Releases
Public invitation to attend meetings and submit comments on changes proposed by Xcel Energy to increase spent fuel storage at the Prairie Island Nuclear Plant
10/31/2024 12:23:15 PM
ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Department of Commerce is seeking public input and holding two public meetings on the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) it has prepared in response to Xcel Energy’s request to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for additional spent fuel storage at the Prairie Island Nuclear Plant.
Commerce will consider the public’s comments in preparing the final EIS. The PUC will use the EIS in making its decision on Xcel Energy’s request for additional spent fuel storage at the Prairie Island Nuclear Plant.
The public is invited to attend a meeting on November 19 in-person at the Red Wing Ignite Building or November 20 virtually via Webex. Public comments will be accepted through December 6, 2024.
ADDITIONAL SPENT FUEL STORAGE AT THE PRAIRIE ISLAND NUCLEAR PLANT
Xcel Energy is seeking permission to increase the amount of spent nuclear fuel at the Prairie Island Nuclear Plant sufficient to extend the operating life of the plant to year 2053 for the plant’s Unit 1 generator and year 2054 for the Unit 2 generator. This proposal will require the installation of up to two additional concrete storage pads within the existing 5.5-acre fuel storage facility footprint. The additional 34 dry fuel storage systems would be stored in horizontal concrete storage modules to keep the plant operating through 2054.
MEETING DETAILS
The same information will be presented at both meetings.
- November 19 – 6 p.m. meet in-person at Red Wing Ignite Building, Community Room, 419 Bush St., Red Wing, MN
- November 20 – 6 p.m. meet online: https://tinyurl.com/5auc8ksp
- Password: MnPUC!
- Join by phone: 415-655-0003 or 1-855-282-6330
- Access code 2485 318 0139
HOW TO COMMENT
Additional information about the public meetings and how to provide comments are included in the meeting notice, available at:
- Minnesota Public Utilities Commission: mn.gov/puc. Select eDockets, enter the year (24) and the docket number (68), and select Search.
- Minnesota Department of Commerce: eera.web.commerce.state.mn.us/web/project/15425
MEDIA CONTACT
Mo Schriner, Director of Communications
Minnesota Department of Commerce
mo.schriner@state.mn.us