By TIM HARLOW
Minneapolis Star Tribune

RED WING, Minn. — No worries. There isn't a disaster at the Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plant. Scores of police, firefighters, rescue workers, nuclear specialists and other authorities will descend on the plant near Red Wing today for a simulation exercise.

They'll be given a scenario and evaluated on their ability to respond and on the accuracy of the choices they would make to protect the public if a nuclear event should occur.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety will conduct the exercise that involves the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin, the Nuclear Management Company, Xcel Energy, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Federal Department of Homeland Security, and Dakota and Goodhue counties in Minnesota, and Pierce County in Wisconsin. The exercise is required every other year by the Department of Homeland Security.

Minneapolis Star Tribune