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Minnesota Environmental Quality Board. Energy Facility Permitting

Energy Facilities: This program transfered from Minnesota Environmental Quality Board to Public Utilities Commission effective July 1, 2005. Article 3 of the energy bill S.F.1368 transfered power plant and wind turbine siting, transmission line and pipeline routing authority from the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB) to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The same law transfers the energy facility permitting staff from the EQB to the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Minnesota Environmental Quality Board. Sustainable development initiative

Finding solutions that benefit people, business and the environment.

The Minnesota Sustainable Development Initiative was based on the common-sense belief that if Minnesota's prosperity is to be sustained over time, what is good for business, the environment and communities must eventually become one and the same. This is the essential challenge of sustainable development.

Minnesota Environmental Quality Board. Radioactive waste program

Minnesota has three operating commercial nuclear power reactors. Two reactors are located near Red Wing, Minnesota, at the Prairie Island facility and one reactor is located near Monticello, Minnesota. All are owned by Xcel Energy. Prairie Island generates about 1060 MW of electricity, and Monticello generates about 553 MW. Spent nuclear fuel is stored in pools at both reactor sites, and in addition, the Prairie Island facility stores spent nuclear waste in casks maintained above ground at the reactor site.