(KNSI) – The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has approved a request from Xcel Energy that will play a big part in running the Monticello Nuclear Plant through 2040.
The decision to allow increased storage of spent nuclear fuel was unanimous, which opens the door for longer operations at the site. The nuclear plant is a key cog in Xcel’s plan to eliminate carbon emissions by the end of the next decade.
President Chris Clark says, “Nuclear power is crucial to achieving those goals because of its unique combination of reliability, affordability, and zero emissions.”
The Monticello and Prairie Island Nuclear Plants produce nearly a third of the company’s total power output in the Midwest region.
Xcel says it also needs approval for the extension from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The review process is extensive, and a final decision is not expected until late 2024.
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