The Minnesota Department of Commerce invites the public to comment on the final environmental impact statement (EIS) that Commerce has prepared for Xcel Energy’s request to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for additional spent fuel storage at the Monticello nuclear plant. 

Commerce will use the public’s comments to determine the adequacy of the final EIS. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will use the final EIS in making its decision on Xcel’s request for additional spent fuel storage at the Monticello nuclear plant. 

Comments from the public will be accepted through January 25, 2023. Comments on the adequacy of the final EIS can be sent to the project environmental review manager, Ray Kirsch: 

Email:  raymond.kirsch@state.mn.us

Postal mail:  Ray Kirsch, Minnesota Department of Commerce, 85 7th Place East, Suite 280, St. Paul, MN 55101    

MONTICELLO NUCLEAR PLANT ADDITIONAL SPENT FUEL STORAGE  Xcel Energy is requesting to store additional spent nuclear fuel at the Monticello nuclear plant sufficient to extend the operating life of the plant by 10 years – from 2030 to 2040. This additional storage requires installation of a second concrete support pad within the plant’s existing independent spent fuel storage installation. A modular concrete storage system would be placed on the new concrete pad. Xcel Energy indicates that spent fuel would be stored in steel canisters, with the canisters then being placed in the concrete storage system. Xcel Energy estimates that approximately 14 additional spent fuel storage canisters will be needed for operations through 2040. 

VIEW THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT: 
The final EIS is available to view online or in person. 

• On the PUC’s website: mn.gov/puc, select eDockets, enter the year (21) and the docket number (668), and select Search.
• On Commerce’s website: mn.gov/commerce/energyfacilities, select Power Plants, and then select Monticello Nuclear Plant Additional Spent Fuel Storage.  

The final EIS is available to view in person at the Monticello Public Library, 200 West 6th St., Monticello, MN  55362. 

MEDIA CONTACTS: 

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

Brett Benson, Assistant Director of Communications
Minnesota Department of Commerce
brett.benson@state.mn.us