Xcel Energy switches from sirens to cellphone alerts to warn public of nuclear emergencies
MINNESOTA, AUG 4 – People within 10 miles of two nuclear plants will receive detailed emergency notifications via cellphones through a national alert system, replacing unused sirens, Xcel Energy said.
- Amid modernizing emergency warnings, Xcel Energy will use cellphone alerts via the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System for residents near Monticello and Prairie Island nuclear plants.
- Xcel Energy cited high mobile phone adoption and said sirens had never been used in an emergency, making cellphone alerts a safety upgrade, Pamela Prochaska said.
- Automatically enrolling residents within 10 miles of the Monticello and Prairie Island plants, Xcel Energy's cellphone alerts provide tailored details and recommended actions, Pamela Prochaska said.
- By adding alert info to its annual mailing, Xcel Energy and the state's Homeland Security and Emergency Management division have notified emergency responders of the change.
- As part of its long-term strategy, Xcel Energy intends to operate its plants into the 2050s and will donate its unused sirens to communities that choose to keep them as backup, Prochaska said.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Xcel Energy will now use cellphones to send emergency alerts related to nuclear plants
Xcel Energy will now use cellphones to notify people who live near its Monticello and Prairie Island nuclear plants in case of an emergency, instead of outdoor sirens. The Minneapolis-based utility said it will use the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, a national system that delivers severe weather warnings and AMBER Alerts through cellphones. Xcel said the modern technology is a safety upgrade, allowing notifications to be sent out mo…
Xcel Energy switches from sirens to cellphone alerts to warn public of nuclear emergencies
MINNEAPOLIS — Xcel Energy will now use cellphones to notify people who live near its Monticello and Prairie Island nuclear plants in case of an emergency, instead of outdoor sirens. The Minneapolis-based utility said it will use the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, a national system that delivers severe weather warnings and AMBER alerts through cellphones. Xcel said the modern technology is a safety upgrade, allowing notifications to …
Xcel Energy switches from sirens to cell phone alerts to warn public of nuclear emergencies
The Minneapolis-based utility said it will use the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, a national system that delivers severe weather warnings and AMBER alerts through cell phones.
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