The Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant in Monticello, Minnesota. (Photo courtesy of Xcel Energy)
MONTICELLO, Minn. (KFGO) – The Nuclear Free Mississippi River Coalition will banner over Interstate-94 near the Highway 25 exit just northwest of the Twin Cities on Thursday, marking three years since a radioactive leak at the Monticello nuclear plant.
In November 2022, the 54-year-old reactor spilled more than 829,000 gallons of tritium-contaminated water into the Mississippi River, a drinking source for millions. Tritium is known to increase the risk of cancer.
Xcel Energy waited four months to alert the public and later underestimated the leak’s scope.
Despite safety concerns, regulators extended the plant’s license through 2050. The coalition calls the reactor “unacceptable and dangerous” and is demanding its immediate shutdown.
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