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Tritium Leak

All articles tagged with #tritium leak

Nuclear Plant Leak Raises Concerns for Minnesota Residents
environment2 years ago

Nuclear Plant Leak Raises Concerns for Minnesota Residents

A nuclear power plant near Minneapolis is being shut down after discovering water containing a low level of radioactive material was leaking from a pipe for the second time. The issue has raised concerns among nearby residents and questions about aging pipelines. The temporary closure could be out of an abundance of caution, “or it could be a sign they don’t know how bad the problem is, and they need to do a deep dive to find out what’s going on,” said Edwin Lyman, director of nuclear power safety with the Union of Concerned Scientists. Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen that occurs naturally and is a common byproduct of nuclear plant operations.

Monticello Nuclear Power Plant Leak: Xcel Energy and State Officials Provide Updates.
energy2 years ago

Monticello Nuclear Power Plant Leak: Xcel Energy and State Officials Provide Updates.

Xcel Energy and state officials have announced a Tritium leak at the Monticello Nuclear Power Plant that occurred in November 2020. The leak was contained to the site and the public was never in danger. Xcel Energy is currently pumping the contaminated water out of the ground and storing it safely at the site. The cleanup process could take nearly a year to complete. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Department of Health are monitoring the cleanup at the site.

Radioactive Chemical Leak Contained and Cleaned Up at Monticello Nuclear Plant
environment2 years ago

Radioactive Chemical Leak Contained and Cleaned Up at Monticello Nuclear Plant

State agencies are monitoring a nuclear power plant in Monticello, Minnesota, after 400,000 gallons of water containing a radioactive chemical leaked into the ground at the site. The leak involves tritium, a naturally occurring radioactive form of hydrogen that is produced in the atmosphere and is a byproduct of electricity production by nuclear power plants. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) agency says the leak hasn't left the facility or contaminated drinking water sources. Xcel Energy is pumping contaminated water through extraction wells, some of which are being reused on the site. The MPCA, MDH, and Minnesota Department of Natural resources are reviewing data, well sampling results provided by Xcel Energy, and overseeing remediation efforts.