An Xcel Energy electrical explosion at their Sherco plant in Becker, MN, brought on an investigation by Minnesota OSHA.

The investigation has resulted in citations for three serious violations. The proposed fines total $21,000. Xcel Energy has filed to contest OSHA’s findings.

In July, 2017, three workers entered a room to find out why a breaker had tripped. An “arc flash and explosion occurred”, injuring all three workers.  According to a July post on the Facebook page of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 160, the workers “sustained burns to a large percentage of their bodies.” They went to a burn center for treatment.

Xcel’s Sherco plant is a coal-fired electricity operation in Becker. It’s located about an hour northwest of downtown Minneapolis.