Minnesota Nuclear Power Plant Shuts Down Reactors For 5th Time This Year

Nuclear reactors at a power plant near Red Wing, Minnesota have been shut down for the fifth time this year.

On Sunday night a water pump at the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant shut down, causing a chain reaction that led to a reactor being turned off. The cause is still under investigation.

It’s the fifth time this year that technicians have had to shut down either of the reactors for maintenance or repairs, but Nuclear Regulatory Commission Senior Inspector Karla Stoedter said the issues have been minor.

“Well, the number of shutdowns that have occurred at Prairie Island is more than what we would like to see,” said Stoedter. “However, in each case we have found that the plant has operated safely and continues to operate safely and public health and safety have been maintained.”

The reactors at Prairie Island are 41 years old and have been granted a permit extension until the year 2033.