Forty years ago, nuclear power generated by Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant began lighting hundreds of thousands of houses in the Upper Midwest as Unit 1 came online after several years of construction. A year later, Unit 2 came on line and the station took its place in the Northern States Power portfolio.

Four decades of reliable, safe power generation is a milestone worth celebrating. In late June, the Prairie Island plant welcomed community leaders and neighbors to take a closer look at the station, its history, its contributions and its operations with a pair of open houses.

Community members and business leaders from the area took advantage of tours of the station’s simulator and spent time with a series of exhibits that reviewed everything from nuclear training to radiation protection. Presentations were made about the benefits of nuclear energy, how nuclear plants work and the positive contributions Prairie Island and Xcel Energy bring to the community – from charitable work to job creation and economic impact.

Former Prairie Island employees were among those enthusiastic in their praise for the event, citing the simulator tour and exhibits as highly informative and the event, overall, as a great time.

The event was developed, supported and staffed by many of Prairie Island’s employees, who were proud to share their work and enthusiasm for the station and for nuclear by creating an opportunity for a broad positive effect in the station’s community.

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Members of the surrounding community came to Prairie Island to help celebrate 40 years of operation and to learn about nuclear power and the company’s commitment to its customers.