Xcel Energy

About 1,350 Xcel Energy customers are without power this (Tuesday) morning. The power went out at 8:15 a.m.

Xcel Energy has reached a deal with regulators, consumer advocates and businesses for a $114 million increase in electricity rates over three years.

Minnesota regulators have approved an electric rate increase that's less than half of what Xcel Energy originally sought. On a 4-0 vote, the state Utilities Commission Thursday approved a 2.7% rate increase for Xcel Energy's electricity customers in Minnesota.

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.

Officials say a 2-inch break in a pipe leading to a chlorine bleach tank is to blame for a chemical spill at the Prairie Island nuclear plant near Red Wing.

The Monticello Nuclear Power Plant returned to full power this (Tuesday) morning. It had been operating at a lower power since a reactor automatically shut down safely on November 19th.

The Sherco 3 power plant near Becker remains out of service after a weekend fire. A spokesman for Xcel Energy says the coal-fired plant had been down since mid-September for routine maintenance.

Operators returned the Monticello Nuclear Power Plant to full power this (Monday) morning, after replacing a cable that failed on October 21st.

The state rule that prevents utility companies from turning off the heat to people who get behind on their bills resumes on Saturday. It's called the cold weather rule and it applies from Oct. 15 to April 15.

Xcel Energy wants to put up a new $10 million power line in Sauk Rapids. A public hearing on the project has been scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday) night at 6:30 p.m. at the Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School.