Prairie Island nuclear plant back at full power

(AP) - Xcel Energy says operators at its Prairie Island nuclear plant near Red Wing have successfully reduced levels of an ammonia-like chemical in the non-nuclear side of the plant.

Xcel notified federal authorities but said the incident did not pose a threat to the public and was ranked as the lowest of four emergency classifications.

Elevated levels of hydrazine were detected at the turbine building early Sunday. The chemical is used to help reduce corrosion in piping at the plant.

The incident happened while workers were returning a unit reactor to service. The unit had shut down on Thursday when a component failed during routine testing.

Ventilation was increased to clear the chemical.

Xcel says there were no injuries and no radiological release at the plant. Unit 1 is now back at full power.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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