http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/apArticle/id/D9V77S102/Pra...

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/apArticle/id/D9V77S102/


Prairie Island nuclear plant back to full power

The Associated Press - RED WING, Minn.

Xcel Energy Inc. says Prairie Island's Unit 2 reactor has returned to full power after a scheduled refueling outage.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press (http://bit.ly/JJOIp2) reports the nuclear generating plant near Red Wing returned to full power about 4 a.m. Tuesday.

The 550-megawatt reactor was taken out of service Feb. 22. Minneapolis-based Xcel says workers also prepared Unit 2 for installation of a new steam generator next year to support plant operations to 2034, when the unit's extended operating license expires.

Prairie Island has two 550-megawatt reactors that produce a total output of 1,100 megawatts, or enough electricity to power nearly 1 million homes. The twin reactors supply about 20 percent of Xcel Energy's customer needs in the Upper Midwest.

Xcel Energy has nuclear plants at Prairie Island and Monticello.

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Information from: St. Paul Pioneer Press, http://www.twincities.com

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