"The earthquake and tsunami in Japan the disaster they caused at a nuclear power plant there are raising questions about the safety of Minnesota's two nuclear power plants.

Xcel Energy's Monticello plant, built in 1970, and the dual-reactor Prairie Island plant, built in 1974, both sit next to the Mississippi River. Together they produce one-quarter of the electricity Xcel's customers use.

The Prairie Island Indian Community is located only about a block from the Prairie Island plant. The Community has complained for years about feeling left out of the loop; officials say they're not adequately informed about plant operations and problems.

On Tuesday, the Tribal council issued a statement expressing concern for the Japanese people dealing with natural and nuclear disasters. "Their reality is our biggest fear," the statement says. "The tragic events in Japan demonstrate that even the most stringent and redundant safety measures cannot guarantee our safety and security.""

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Q&A: How vulnerable are Minnesota's nuclear reactors? (Minnesota Public Radio 3/15)