Monticello Nuclear Plant Getting Safety Upgrades [AUDIO]

MONTICELLO - Xcel Energy is making some safety upgrades to it's two nuclear power plants in Monticello and Prairie Island.

Director of Nuclear Regulatory Policy Terry Pickens says they're bringing in new portable equipment.

Pickens says the pumps and generators are just two of the recommendations coming from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.  Xcel energy will spend between $25 million and $50 million on the new equipment.  Pickens says, they also work closely with several agencies to test their safety measures.

It was about a year ago that the nuclear plant at Fukushima, Japan shut down after the earthquake and tsunami.