200 Gallons of Oil Leak at Minnesota Nuclear Plant

Xcel Energy reports spill at Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant, no oil reached Mississippi River

Mar. 11, 2026 at 1:41am

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Approximately 200 gallons of oil have leaked from the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant in southern Minnesota, according to Xcel Energy. The leak was discovered during routine testing and plant officials say no oil has reached the nearby Mississippi River. Xcel has notified federal, state and local authorities about the spill.

Why it matters

This is the second major incident at the Monticello nuclear plant in recent years, after a 2023 leak of 400,000 gallons of radioactive water. While the current oil spill appears to be contained, it raises ongoing concerns about the plant's safety and environmental impact on the surrounding community and Mississippi River ecosystem.

The details

The oil leak was discovered on Tuesday morning while crews were testing a motor that helps circulate water through the plant for cooling. Xcel Energy says the plant has been shut down for maintenance since February 20th. The company has notified federal, state and local authorities about the spill.

  • The oil leak was discovered on Tuesday morning (March 11, 2026).
  • The Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant has been shut down for maintenance since February 20, 2026.

The players

Xcel Energy

A Minneapolis-based energy company that owns and operates the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant.

Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant

A nuclear power plant located about 40 miles northwest of Minneapolis, on the Mississippi River.

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What they’re saying

“It is our priority to be good stewards of the environment and the communities where our facilities are based.”

— Xcel Energy

What’s next

Xcel Energy says it has notified federal, state and local officials about the oil spill and is working to contain and clean up the leak.

The takeaway

This latest incident at the Monticello nuclear plant underscores the need for heightened safety and environmental oversight at aging nuclear facilities, especially those located near major waterways like the Mississippi River.