NRC cites Xcel Energy for security violation at Prairie Island nuclear plant in Minnesota with low to moderate security significance; details not revealed to prevent deficiencies from being used against plant

Tracy McDonald

MINNEAPOLIS , February 17, 2012 (Associated Press) – Federal regulators have cited Xcel Energy Inc. for a security violation at its Prairie Island nuclear plant in Minnesota.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission provided few details in Thursday's filing. But it says inspectors deemed it had "at least low to moderate security significance."

NRC spokeswoman Viktoria Mitlyng says the security issue was spotted during an October inspection and was corrected immediately. Xcel wasn't fined, but she says the agency will conduct follow-up inspections. She says the plant hasn't been cited for similar violations in the recent past.

Mitlyng says the NRC doesn't release specifics on security deficiencies to prevent the information from being used against a plant.

Xcel Energy spokeswoman Mary Sandok says the utility takes this very seriously and will review the NRC's determination before deciding whether to appeal.

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