When you flip a light switch in Minnesota, there's a good chance nuclear energy is powering that moment. More than just keeping the lights on, nuclear power is quietly helping us build the clean energy future across the Upper Midwest.
Unlike solar panels that go dark at night or wind turbines that idle on calm days, nuclear power plants work around the clock. Minnesota's two nuclear facilities — the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant and the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant near Red Wing —supply over 23% of the state's electricity, running 24/7 except during scheduled maintenance or refueling, and all with zero carbon emissions.
Each year, these two plants prevent 10 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere — equivalent to removing 2 million cars from Minnesota's roads. As the state pushes toward its ambitious goal of carbon-free energy by 2040, nuclear power isn't just part of the solution, it's essential to getting there.
How nuclear works
The science behind nuclear energy is elegant in its simplicity. Through a process called fission, uranium atoms split inside a reactor, generating tremendous heat. That heat turns water into steam, which spins massive turbines connected to generators, producing electricity that flows through power lines to homes and businesses across the region.
“Nuclear power plants aren’t that different from other power plants,” says Kamini Balakrishnan, a senior engineer at Prairie Island. “Most of them work on the concept of boiling water which creates steam, and that turns a turbine which sends out electricity. The only difference here is we have reactor cores that have nuclear energy, and that’s where the water is boiled.”
Tiny uranium pellets—each about the size of a fingertip—contain enormous energy potential. These pellets are loaded into fuel rods, which are carefully arranged in the reactor core where the controlled chain reaction takes place. It's a process that's been refined over decades to maximize both safety and efficiency.
When people think about nuclear energy, safety is often the first concern. That's why nuclear facilities employ what's called a "defense-in-depth" approach — multiple, redundant layers of safety and security systems designed to protect workers, the public and the environment.
Minnesota's nuclear plants have maintained excellent safety records, staffed by nearly 1,100 highly trained full-time employees and hundreds of specialized contractors, many of whom are skilled engineers and operators who live in and are deeply invested in their local communities.
Nuclear plants also generate real economic opportunities for the surrounding area. According to the Nuclear Energy Institute, every dollar spent by a typical nuclear power plant creates $1.04 in the local community, $1.08 in the state economy, and $1.87 in the U.S. economy overall.
In Minnesota, the ripple effects are substantial. The state's nuclear operations contribute $230 million in state and local taxes annually and generate over $1 billion in economic activity. These aren't just numbers on a spreadsheet; they translate into better-funded schools, maintained infrastructure and stronger communities.
“Not only does the Prairie Island plant represent 42% of Red Wing’s tax base," said Red Wing Mayor Gary Iocco, "Xcel Energy employees contribute to our city’s vitality through their philanthropy, giving their time and effort to making Red Wing a great place to live and work."
A bright future
As the nation grapples with the dual challenges of meeting growing energy demands and reducing carbon emissions, nuclear power offers a path forward that doesn't require choosing between reliability and sustainability.
With over 23% of Minnesota's electricity already coming from nuclear sources—all of it carbon-free—these facilities are proving that we can power modern life without compromising the climate. They operate safely, support thousands of jobs, strengthen local economies and provide the kind of steady, dependable baseload power that helps to round out intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar.
It's a commitment to reliability that we are investing in for years to come. In January, Xcel Energy announced we will extend the operation of our Monticello nuclear plant through 2050. Our Prairie Island plant is on a similar path to renewal and was recently approved by the Minnesota PUC.
“[This] approval from the Public Utilities Commission sends a message to our nuclear team that the work they do to power our customers’ lives is valued throughout the state,” said Werner Paulhardt, site vice president of the Prairie Island plant. “We’re proud of the role our team has in delivering safe, reliable, carbon-free electricity throughout the Upper Midwest.”