Xcel says Monticello plant's blades don't pose safety concern

Xcel energy says control rod blades at a nuclear plant in Monticello don't pose a safety concern.

The company that made the rods, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, told the Nuclear Regulatory commission in a report made public Wednesday it had discovered extensive cracking in control rod blades. Hitachi is recommending plants replace the blades more frequently than they had been told to previously.

Members of the Union of Concerned Scientists have expressed concerns about Hitachi's news.

Xcel operates the Monticello plant, and it says plant officials have determined that four control rod blades -- out of 121 in the reactor -- potentially could be affected by the issue.

All blades are scheduled to be replaced during routine maintenance in March.