ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Department of Commerce invites the public to comment on the final environmental impact statement (EIS) for Xcel Energy’s request to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for additional spent fuel storage at the Prairie Island Nuclear Plant. 

The PUC will use the public’s comments to determine the adequacy of the final EIS. The PUC will also use the final EIS in making its decisions on Xcel Energy’s request for additional spent fuel storage at the Prairie Island Nuclear Plant.

About the Prairie Island Nuclear Plant additional spent fuel storage 

Xcel Energy has requested the PUC authorize additional storage for spent nuclear fuel at the Prairie Island Nuclear Plant sufficient to extend the operating life of the plant by 20 years – to year 2053 for the plant’s Unit 1 generator and year 2054 for the Unit 2 generator. This additional storage requires Xcel to install 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. 

Filing Requirements:  Utilities, telecommunications carriers, official parties, and state agencies are required to efile documents using the PUC’s electronic filing system (eFiling). All parties, participants, and interested persons are encouraged to use eFiling:  https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/EFiling

Commenting on the adequacy of the final EIS: 

Comments from the public will be accepted through April 10, 2025. Submit comments to:

Online:
https://mn.gov/puc/get-involved/public-comments/ and follow the instructions.

Email:
consumer.puc@state.mn.us 

U.S. Mail:
Consumer Affairs Office
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
121 7th Place East, Suite 350
St. Paul MN  55101

View the final Environmental Impact Statement 

The final EIS is available: 

Online: 

• eDockets: Enter “24” for year and “68” for docket number, then select Search.  
• Commerce’s Energy Environmental Review and Analysis: Webpage for this project

In print:  Red Wing Public Library, 225 East Ave, Red Wing, MN