News Releases

RED WING, Minn. -- Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant's Unit 2 reactor
returned to full power at 3:53 p.m. CDT Saturday, after operators safely completed
maintenance.

Operators safely shut the unit down on May 18 and were able to make adjustments to
pressure differentials which were affecting water flow through a drain line.
The Prairie Island nuclear plant is 28 miles southeast of Minneapolis-St. Paul and
about six miles northwest of Red Wing. The plant's two pressurized water reactors
generate 1,076 megawatts of electricity. Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy owns and operates
the plant.

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Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company that
provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.5 million
electricity customers and 1.9 million natural gas customers through its regulated operating
companies in eight Western and Midwestern states. Company headquarters are located in
Minneapolis.

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