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Nuclear plant at Monticello back up to full power

Photo: frederic prochasson, Photos.com

Aug 22, 2012 at 7:06 am

MONTICELLO, MN (AP) - Seven days after two of Minnesota's three nuclear reactors were shut down, Xcel Energy's nuclear power plant at Monticello is operating at full power _ but Unit 1 of the twin-reactor at Prairie Island's plant is still ramping up.

Both shutdowns happened Aug. 14 but were unrelated.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports Tuesday (http://bit.ly/SkeuZn) that the Monticello plant began operating at full power Monday after workers repaired a leaking gasket on a structure that houses the reactor.

Unit 1 at Prairie Island was shut down after workers found exhaust leaks in the plant's emergency diesel generators.

The two nuclear power plants supply about 30 percent of electricity in Xcel Energy's Upper Midwest territory.

The company says no radiation was released.