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Praire Island: Dry Cast Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel

The 1994 Minnesota Legislature allowed Northern States Power Company to store a limited amount of spent nuclear fuel in dry casks at its Prairie Island power plant in Goodhue County, as long as the power company met several obligations. One obligation was to make a good-faith effort to find an alternative storage site in Goodhue County. 

In July 1995, Northern States Power Company proposed two possible locations, both in Florence Township near the town of Frontenac.

New report on state progress in water management

Minnesota’s water benefited in the1990s from new efforts aimed at promoting conservation, protecting wetlands, preventing pollution from on-site wastewater treatment systems and correcting problems from leaking tanks and unsealed wells. Soundings: A Minnesota Water Plan Assessment, just released by the Environmental Quality Board, reports progress in carrying out the 14 objectives relating to integrating water management, protecting and conserving water resources and focusing on lakes, wetlands, rivers and ground water contained in the 1991 Minnesota Water Plan.

Saving resources: meeting Minnesota's water and wastewater needs

Public water and wastewater treatment needs could easily exceed $1.5 billion by 2000. Upgrading substandard on-site wastewater systems could add another $1.7 billion, says a new Environmental Quality Board report, Saving Resources: Meeting Minnesota's Water and Wastewater Needs.

 

Federal funds are decreasing, leaving the state and local governments with increased burdens. While funding grows tighter, both state and local governments need new approaches to safeguard water supplies and ensure adequate wastewater treatment.

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