Utility Shuts Down Minnesota Nuclear Plant Over Radioactive Leak

Radioactive water leaks from plant for 2nd time in recent days

Cooling towers release heat generated by boiling water reactors at Xcel Energy's Nuclear Generating Plant in Monticello, Minn., on Oct. 2, 2019. Evan Frost/Minnesota Public Radio via AP

A utility company said it will shut down its nuclear power plant in Minnesota after it found a radioactive substance that’s being leaked into nearby groundwater.

Xcel Energy confirmed Thursday it will start the shutdown of the Monticello power plant on Friday to perform repairs to “permanently resolve a leak of water containing tritium at the plant,” according to a news release. The firm said that no disruptions will be made to customer service.