Safety drill this week at Monticello nuclear plant

Emergency responders will descend on Monticello this week for a full-scale preparedness drill at the nuclear power plant, officials with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety announced.

Residents in Sherburne and Wright counties should expect to see more emergency response vehicles around town during the drill, which will take place throughout the day Tuesday and Wednesday.

Field activities will take place in and around the Monticello nuclear generating plant, which is operated by Xcel Energy. Residents nearby should not be alarmed by emergency responders carrying out their duties during the exercise.

The drills, which have taken place for more than a dozen years, alternate each year between the Monticello and Prairie Island nuclear facilities.

Officials with the state of Minnesota, Xcel Energy, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Federal Department of Homeland Security and Wright and Sherburne counties will participate in the drill.

DHS requires that each nuclear generating plant conduct an exercise every other year.