The Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant hosted the Nuclear Energy Tribal Work Group (NETWG) for a plant tour and presentation March 31 in conjunction with a meeting held between the group and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Members of NETWG received a presentation on the generation of nuclear power, a view of the Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI) pad and were given a tour of the plant. Terry Pickens, Xcel Energy director of Nuclear Regulatory Policy, gave briefings on nuclear energy and status of regulatory issues. The group discussed the joint efforts between Xcel Energy and the Prairie Island Indian Community regarding the Nuclear Waste Strategy Coalition and federal action on used fuel storage.

The Prairie Island Indian Community, members of NETWG, is a Mdewakanton Sioux Indian reservation located adjacent to the Prairie Island plant.

“There is a long history between these Tribal Nations, the federal government and the utility industry,” said Pickens. “We have shared priorities and a working group such as this is a good way to deepen our relationship and take steps toward our common goals. We appreciate the opportunity to have them tour our facilities.”

The NETWG is a forum established in 2014 by several Tribal Nations and the U.S. Department of Energy. It provides a forum for Tribal Leaders to engage with the Department on a wide scope of nuclear energy issues. The forum works to strengthen government-to-government relations on matters such as the management of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste – including transportation and related emergency response planning activities, nuclear research and development, small modular reactors, and potential economic business opportunities.

“Through the Nuclear Energy Tribal Working Group (NETWG) the Department hopes to incorporate the unique and important perspectives from Tribal Leaders and their representatives as we continue to develop and deploy safe, reliable, and efficient nuclear power,” said Jay Jones, senior advisor/tribal liaison in DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy. “These types of partnerships help the Department to work more closely with the Tribal Nations on building a sustainable energy future.”

“I have been quite pleased with the progress made in the NETWG interactions, which explore a number of critical nuclear energy matters that affect both Tribal Leaders and the development of this energy source, including the management of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste, transportation and related emergency response planning activities, nuclear research and development, small modular reactors, and potential economic business opportunities. I look forward to the next steps from this working group and further strengthening this important relationship in the years to come.”