Public Comment Form

Commenting open: February 28, 2025 12:00AM CT - March 31, 2025 11:59PM CT.

Xcel Energy (Riverside Generating Plant) - Wastewater Permit

We invite you to comment on the draft wastewater permit for Xcel Energy's Riverside Generating Plant.


Xcel Energy operates the Riverside Generating Plant, a natural gas-fired steam electric generating station located in Minneapolis. The facility generates a maximum of 514 megawatts and generally operates as a peaking station that generates electricity when demand for electricity is high. 


The plant draws water from the Mississippi River for cooling purposes. The wastewater discharges consist of once-through non-contact condenser cooling water and miscellaneous waste streams such as pump bearing seal water, reverse osmosis reject water, screenhouse roof drains, and lab drains. The discharges route to the Mississippi River at an average rate of approximately 101 million gallons per day and a maximum rate of 140.5 million gallons per day.


The draft industrial wastewater permit adds limits for total suspended solids and monitoring for salty parameters associated with the miscellaneous waste streams. The draft permit also requires a new phosphorus management plan to reduce phosphorus discharges to the river. The permit also enhances permit language and requirements that protect fish and wildlife at the facility’s water intake.


Wastewater from industrial and commercial sources may contain pollutants at levels that could adversely affect the water quality in area wetlands, streams, rivers, and lakes. Water quality permits - or National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits - establish specific limits and requirements to protect Minnesota's surface and groundwater quality. All wastewater must be treated before it goes into surface water to protect human health and aquatic life. Permits are regularly reviewed and updated as they expire, allowing the MPCA to incorporate new information about the impacts of pollutants on the environment in future permits.




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Thank you for providing feedback on this project. We value your comments and will use them to assess this project further. Please submit your comments and feedback before the end of the comment period.


If you want to submit a letter, you can upload the letter on this website or submit it via US Mail to the following address:


Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
c/o Steven Theisen
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
520 Lafayette Road N
St. Paul, MN 55155



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