Legislation that would help Xcel Energy plan for the high costs of maintaining old nuclear power plants is heading to the Minnesota Senate where it could face some tough opposition.
Governor Mark Dayton signed the bill Tuesday morning that will allow Xcel Energy to build an $800 million natural gas plant in Becker. Xcel Energy Spokesman Randy Fordice says preliminary work will be getting underway soon, but it will be years before it's up and running.
State utility regulators have approved Xcel Energy's plans to retire two of the three units at Minnesota's largest power plant. The shutdown of coal-fired generators at Xcel's Sherco facility in Becker by 2026 will eliminate the state's largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
You'll notice some Xcel Energy crews in St. Cloud over the next few weeks. They're in the process of switching out their streetlights to more energy efficient LED bulbs.
A training exercise will mean plenty of sirens, police and fire responders in north St. Cloud tomorrow (Tuesday). But, officials want you to know it's only a training exercise and there is no danger to the public.