Xcel Energy Slapped with $14,000 Fine for Unauthorized Storage of Radioactive Water at Monticello Nuclear Plant

Saint Cloud, MN, USA / KNSI

Dec 14, 2023 | 2:16 PM

Associated Press

(KNSI) – Xcel Energy has been fined $14,000 for storing radioactive water aboveground at the Monticello nuclear power plant.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says the company moved the water to tanks before getting the proper permits following a leak in the fall of 2022. The spill required cleanup and on-site storage.

The MPCA informed the company in March 2023 that installing storage tanks larger than one million gallons of capacity would require a permit. After it put up 20 temporary tanks, the company filled its newest tank with tritiated groundwater in early April before obtaining the required permit. According to the MPCA, that tank increased the total capacity to just over 1.4 million gallons.

In addition to paying the $14,000 civil penalty, Xcel Energy was required to obtain the permit before continuing its response and cleanup. The MPCA gave the okay in May 2023. The company has since switched the tritiated water to an in-ground lined pond and no longer uses the temporary tanks.

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