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News

Xcel Energy’s Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant celebrated an important milestone in its history by reaching 45 years of commercial operation on June 30. Employees enjoyed telling stories of “the old days,” over cake and coffee served to all. They also signed a commemorative banner now displayed around the site.

“It was a great opportunity to stop and thank our employees for their service,” said Pete Gardner, site vice president. “We have over 60 people working here with more than 30 years’ experience. They are obviously an important part of our history and continue helping to shape our future.”

Construction began on the $80 million nuclear plant by General Electric on Sept. 19, 1966. The plant was first synchronized to the grid at 2:30 a.m. Saturday, March 6, 1971. The power was used for Northern States Power purposes and only 74 employees worked at the station. By June 30 of that year, the plant began commercial operation, providing 570 megawatts to over 500,000 homes.

The station completed a decade-long Extended Power Uprate project on June 30, 2015, which increased the station’s output by 71 megawatts electric and brought its generating capacity to 671 megawatts.

The station provides about 10 percent of the electricity used by Xcel Energy’s customers in the Upper Midwest. Combined with its sister plant at Prairie Island, both are critical components of Xcel Energy’s clean energy plan to reduce carbon emissions by 60 percent and provide a 63 percent carbon-free generation mix by 2030.

Employees signed this commemorative banner, which is on display around the station.