Twenty miles downstream. Yellow booms are in place at Elk River to encircle any oil that might escape from containment booms at the on-premises discharge canal at Monticello. This is at the State Highway 101 bridge over ghe Mississippi River near Babcock Park in Elk River. Image: Josh Moni
Xcel: No radioactivity reached river
MONTECLLO, Minn. — The giant utility Xcel Energy admitted “mineral oil” leaked from its aging Monticello nuclear plant on Mississippi River but didn’t reach the river proper. Xcel quoted the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission that the leak didn’t involve radioactive material and did not constitute a nuclear safety concern. The plant, built in 1971, is 120 miles upstream, from Winona. Xcel also operates a riverside nuclear plant near Red Wing, built in 1973 and 60 miles upstream from Winona. Xcel has a history of not reporting accidents ayt its facilities. This time Xcel notified authorities and issued a public statement the enxt day.
River proximity. The Monticello plant uses water to cool nuclear generators, then discharges the water into Mississippi. Working properly, the process releases no radioactivity into the river.
What went wrong
Xcel’s account: The Monticello had been shut down since February 20 for scheduled maintenance. While testing equipment, operators identified low oil levels in a motor that circulates cooling water through the plant. A component that keeps lubricating oil separate from the cooling water had failed, allowing the oil and water to mix. A bout 200 gallons of oil leaked before the motor was shut down but not before oil entered the plant’s discharge canal, which e connects to the Mississippi River. No oil reached the river itself. Containment and absorbent materials were et up in the discharge canal to capture the oil. The booms and absorbent materials were removed ahead of a winter storm expected this weekend to prevent any dislodged from high winds. Contractors monitored both the river and the canal on plant property.