Monticello Nuclear Plant Begins Refueling, Maintenance for Extended Operation Through 2050

(KNSI) – The nuclear power plant in Monticello is refueling and doing maintenance work to prepare it for another two decades of service.

Crews started on Friday, which led to the plant being taken offline. Xcel Energy says the work helps prepare the plant for a future expansion of its operations, which will play a key role in achieving Minnesota’s clean energy goals. Nearly 1,000 specialists will join the plant’s full-time workforce as part of the project.

Minnesota’s goal is to use 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040. Earlier this year, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved a 20-year license extension for the Monticello nuclear plant, allowing it to continue operations through 2050. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission also approved extended operations through 2050.

In late November 2022, the Monticello nuclear power plant experienced a leak of 400,000 gallons of water contaminated with radioactive tritium due to a broken pipe between two buildings. Xcel Energy implemented a temporary solution to capture and reroute the leaking water, and later permanently repaired the pipe during a scheduled outage. The company has been monitoring groundwater wells and testing the Mississippi River water more frequently.

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