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�%%%VW% <br /> MINNESOTA MUNICIPAL a nuiiES ASSOCIATION <br /> 12805 Highway 55 • Suite 212 • Plymouth, MN 55441-3859 • 763.551.1230 • 800 422 0119(MN) • Fax 763.551.0459 <br /> Nuclear Waste Storage <br /> A 1994 Minnesota law allowed Northern States Power Company (now Xcel Energy) to <br /> store a limited amount of spent nuclear fuel in storage casks at its Prairie Island nuclear <br /> electric generating plant. If additional cask storage is not authorized, it may be necessary <br /> to shut down the Prairie Island plant in 2007 and the Monticello nuclear plant in 2010. <br /> H.F.332/S.F. 292 would allow additional dry cask storage at both Prairie Island and <br /> Monticello sufficient to allow both plants to continue to operate until the end of their <br /> federal licenses. <br /> The 1,100-megawatt Prairie Island plant and the 600 megawatt Monticello plant represent <br /> a substantial portion of Minnesota's total generating capacity, and are important <br /> components of the state's reliable and relatively low-cost electricity system. The future <br /> of these plants must be addressed while there is still time to develop alternate resources if <br /> necessary. <br /> While we recognize that disposal of nuclear waste remains a difficult and unresolved <br /> issue, we also recognize that continued operation of the Prairie Island and Monticello <br /> plants offers significant advantages over other likely resource options in terms of cost, <br /> reliability, and air emissions. Replacing these plants with new natural gas or coal-fired <br /> generation could have a significant impact on wholesale power costs in the region. In a <br /> time of state budget deficits, a struggling economy, and stagnant or declining consumer <br /> purchasing power, we believe that Minnesota should be particularly concerned about <br /> maintaining a reliable and low-cost supply of electric energy. Given the fact that dry <br /> cask storage is already in place and seems to be working, we believe that the benefits of <br /> shutting down the nuclear plants before the end of their useful lives should be weighed <br /> very carefully against the costs. <br /> The two nuclear plants are owned by a single entity, Xcel Energy, which bears full <br /> responsibility for their operations. The 1994 law included significant mandates for the <br /> development of renewable energy resources as a condition of allowing dry cask storage. <br /> If any additional mandates are imposed as a condition of allowing additional dry cask <br /> storage, those mandates should apply only to the owner of the plants. <br /> In summary, we believe that the legislature should address the future of the Prairie Island <br /> and Monticello plants in a timely manner, so that alternative resources can be developed <br /> and brought on line if the nuclear plants are to be phased out. The waste storage issue <br /> should be carefully balanced against the benefits the plants provide in terms of cost, <br /> reliability, and air emissions. In the event that any mandates are imposed as a condition <br /> of allowing additional dry cask storage at Prairie Island and Monticello, those mandates <br /> should apply only to the entity that owns and operates the plants. <br /> Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association <br /> February 2003 <br />