Mysterious Drones Hover Over Minnesota Nuclear Plant—But Cops Say There’s No Threat
Drones buzz around a Minnesota nuclear plant, sending local authorities into action—but the pilot remains a mystery. 🌐 #News #RedWingMN #Minnesota #Crime
RED WING, MN – A strange sighting in southern Minnesota has raised some eyebrows. On Wednesday evening, two drones were spotted flying near the Prairie Island Nuclear Plant in Red Wing, Minnesota. Local authorities responded quickly but were unable to identify the pilots behind the mysterious aircraft.
Drones Noticed by Police
At 6:32 p.m. on January 8, 2025, dispatch received reports of “four to five” drones in the area around the Prairie Island Nuclear Plant.
Officers from the Red Wing Police Department and the Prairie Island Tribal Police Department rushed to the scene, where they spotted two drones flying near the plant and Lock and Dam #3.
The officers monitored the situation, but after some time, the drones were no longer visible, and the incident ended without further escalation.
Authorities Unable to Locate Drone Pilots
Despite an immediate response from local law enforcement, no suspects were identified. The officers were unable to locate the individual or individuals responsible for flying the drones.
“There is no active threat to the public and the incident is not currently under active investigation by the Red Wing Police Department,” said a statement from the police department.
Federal Restrictions and Safety Protocols
Federal law prohibits drones from flying over nuclear power plants and other sensitive facilities, and Prairie Island is no exception.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) enforces these regulations to safeguard critical infrastructure like nuclear power plants.
Prairie Island, one of Minnesota’s two nuclear power plants, sits along the Mississippi River near the Wisconsin border, making it a key location for energy production in the region.
Prairie Island Nuclear Plant – Key Facts and Background
The Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant, which began operations in 1973, is located in Red Wing, Minnesota, adjacent to the Prairie Island Indian Community reservation. The plant operates two Westinghouse pressurized water reactors, which produce a combined total of 1,076 megawatts of electricity. Owned by Northern States Power Company, a subsidiary of Xcel Energy, and operated by Xcel Energy, the plant is licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to operate through 2033 and 2034.
Though the plant plays a critical role in supplying power to the region, it has been the subject of controversy, particularly regarding the on-site storage of nuclear waste in large steel casks. This storage method has raised concerns, especially given that the plant is located on a floodplain of the Mississippi River. Opponents fear potential water contamination if the casks were compromised during seasonal flooding.
In 2008, Xcel Energy requested that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission renew the plant’s operating licenses for an additional 20 years. This renewal was approved in 2011, though discussions surrounding waste storage and safety continue.
The plant has also faced incidents in the past, such as a 2006 exposure of workers to low levels of radiation due to a leak in a filter system. The NRC deemed this incident to be of low safety significance, and no workers were harmed.
RELATED TOPICS: Crime | Minnesota | Paranormal | Wisconsin
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