Xcel Energy says it is cleaning up and monitoring an oil leak incident at the Monticello Nuclear Power Generating Facility.
Xcel says the Monticello plant has been shut down for scheduled maintenance since February 20th. Officials say Tuesday morning, while testing equipment as part of this maintenance work, operators identified a problem with low oil levels in one of the motors that helps circulate water through the plant for cooling.
Crews investigated and found a component that keeps the motor’s lubricating oil separate from the cooling water had failed, allowing the water and oil to mix. Xcel says teams immediately isolated the equipment from the water supply and notified federal, state and local governments of this event.
Officials say they estimate that about 200 gallons of oil left this cooling equipment before it was shut down, and a portion of the oil made its way to the discharge canal. Plant personnel confirmed however that no oil reached the Mississippi River.
Xcel says as a preventative measure, oil spill containment and absorbent booms have been set up in the discharge canal, as well as the closest point of the river outside the discharge canal, to capture and contain any oil that may be in the water.
Officials say residents may notice increased activity in and around the area as the evaluation and cleanup activities continue.
