Feds mull Xcel penalties tied to MN nuclear plant violation

Federal officials say two Xcel contractors in 2013 willfully violated procedures and falsified records involving checks on welding material used to seal spent nuclear fuel at Xcel's Monticello, Minn., nuclear plant.

Xcel says it has since modified its procedures to prevent any similar incidents and has cut ties with the contractor. The company also says there was never a safety threat.

Still leaders of Nukewatch, an anti-nuclear power group in Wisconsin, say they hope the Nuclear Regulatory Commission penalizes Xcel for the violations.

"A lesson needs to be shared with the entire industry so that the other companies running nuclear reactors don't pull the same shenanigans," said John LaForge, the group's co-director.

The results of the NRC investigation were made public this week, but Xcel will have the chance to respond to the NRC before the agency considers further action.

Xcel Regional Vice President Laura McCarten said the utility is taking the matter seriously and that the contractors "did not follow the procedures they were supposed to have followed in testing the welds at certain points along the welding process."