Area agencies to participate in nuclear drill

Talk about it

A full-scale nuclear preparedness exercise will take place Tuesday at the Prairie Island nuclear plant.

This event tests the capabilities of all responsible agencies to take action and protect the health and safety of area residents in the event of a nuclear incident.

It consists of a scenario-based rehearsal chosen at random. Participants must demonstrate versatility and accuracy in selecting the proper response to protect area residents.

The Department of Homeland Security requires that each nuclear generating plant conduct an exercise every other year. DHS will evaluate all components of this exercise.

The exercise involves the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin, the Nuclear Management Co., Xcel Energy, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, DHS, and Dakota, Goodhue and Pierce counties.

DHS will conduct a public briefing on the results of the exercise at 10:30 a.m. Friday in the Goodhue County Emergency Operations Center, 430 W. Sixth St., Red Wing.

Members of the public are invited to attend the briefing.

Tags: nuclear, prairie, island, nuclear, plant, exercise, preparedness