For Immediate Release
Contact: Travis Bray
Police Captain
Red Wing Police Department
Office of Emergency Management
651.267.2611
(May 30th, 2023, Red Wing, MN) – Xcel Energy has provided the following information regarding an Incident at the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant (PINGP) on 05/27/2023.
- Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant Operators declared a Notification of Unusual Event (NUE) at 6:34 p.m. CDT on 05/27/2023. The Plant was clear of the event at 11:04 p.m. the same day.
- Operators made the notification after an external transformer malfunctioned, triggering a fire alarm at Plant Unit 2 that could not be verified within 15 minutes. Operators confirmed there was no fire. The transformer malfunction caused the site's Unit 2 to shut down automatically. Unit 1 continues to operate normally. Both Units are in stable condition. Xcel Energy customers' electric service is not expected to be impacted by this event. Operators will investigate and resolve any issues with the transformer before returning Unit 2 to service
- A Notification of Unusual Event (NUE) is the lowest of four emergency classifications established by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The declaration indicates a potential reduction in Plant safety levels but no threat to public safety. The declaration's purpose is to have the Plants operating staff reach a state of readiness for emergency response if necessary.
At 6:47 p.m. (5/27/23), Plant staff notified the City of Red Wing Emergency Manager (E.M.) of the NUE. No assistance or additional resources were requested by Xcel staff at that time. At 11:10 p.m. (5/27/23), the City of Red Wing E.M. was notified the NUE had been terminated.
The City of Red Wing is dedicated to creating a sustainable, healthy, accessible, resilient, and equitable community where every person feels at home.