Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant

Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant Units 1 and 2 are located in Welch, Minnesota approximately 28 miles southeast of Minneapolis, Minnesota.  The Westinghouse PWRs are operated by Northern States Power Company, and owned by Xcel Energy, Inc.  Unit 1 is licensed to operate until August 9, 2033.  Unit 2 is licensed to operate until October 29, 2034.

Prairie Island ISFSI

The ISFSI for Prairie Island began accepting SNF from both units in 1994 pursuant to a site-specific license.  The ISFSI is located approximately 900 feet west-southwest of the plants and within its own security fences.  The ISFSI consists of two concrete storage pads, each approximately 210 feet long by 30 feet wide, and each capable of holding 24 casks.  As of the end of 2011, there were 1,160 SNF assemblies stored in 29 dry casks (the photo only shows 23 casks).  The casks are manufactured by Transnuclear — the TN Metal Cask system and the TN-40 canister type.  As of the end of 2010, there was 1,160 metric tons of SNF stored at the two nuclear power plant sites located in the State of Minnesota — Monticello and Prairie Island.