Stearns County to be Evacuation Site for Monticello Nuclear Plant

ST. CLOUD -- Stearns County has agreed to be a location for evacuees in the event of a nuclear accident in Monticello.

County Administrator George Rindelaub says Xcel Energy is required to have an evacuation plan for anyone living within a 10-mile radius of the plant.  He says Xcel Energy is responsible for all costs associated with planning and carrying out the plans.

Rindelaub says they will start planning for accommodating evacuees by reaching out schools, cities and other entities who have large facilities. An example of a radiological reception center could be the River's Edge Convention Center.

Other evacuation sites have been identified in Rogers and Princeton so far.