How old is san onofre nuclear plant

SONGS has not produced electricity since after a leak in a steam generator tube led to the closing of the plant. The canister, left unsupported by the rigging and lifting equipment intended to shoulder its weight, was eventually lowered without falling.

Transfers of the spent fuel resumed after Edison instituted a series of improved safety measures, and in August of this year, the 73rd and final canister was lowered into its storage cavity at the north end of SONGS.

When the dismantlement project is completed, all that will remain will be the two dry storage sites; a security building with personnel to look over the waste; a seawall 28 feet high, as measured at average low tide at San Onofre State Beach; a walkway connecting two beaches north and south of the plant; and a switchyard with power lines. The canisters of nuclear waste remain between the 5 Freeway and the Pacific Ocean because the federal government has not found a place to put all the used-up commercial fuel that has stacked up at some sites in 35 states.

Some 80, metric tons of waste from commercial nuclear plants exists across the country. SONGS accounts for 1, metric tons, or about 3. Earlier in his career, Nikolewski worked as a television sports anchor in such markets as New York City, Boston, Pittsburgh and Phoenix, winning three regional Emmy awards.

He lives in San Diego with his adorable golden retriever, Honey. She helped her husband start a far-right militia group. California college students live in vans and hotels as campus housing plans spark backlash.

All Sections. About Us. B2B Publishing. Business Visionaries. Meanwhile, at San Onofre, two close calls drew the ire of activists and townspeople. In a separate incident several months later, a canister filled with radioactive waste became wedged when employees were loading it into the ground and nearly dropped 18ft. The second incident was not made public until a whistleblower brought it up at a community event. After these incidents, the NRC cited SCE for failing to ensure equipment was available to protect the canister from a drop, and failing to notify the NRC in a timely manner.

Another concern is that the CEO of Holtec, the manufacturer of the canisters, told a community meeting that the canisters are difficult to repair. Singh walked that statement back last September , but questions remain as to what San Onofre would do if a canister did indeed appear damaged. According to a plan the California Coastal Commission approved in July , SCE will also inspect two of the 73 buried canisters every five years, and a test canister every two and a half years, starting in In an email, a spokesman for the NRC declined to comment on the incidents at San Onofre, and said that possible accidents are significantly fewer than at an operating reactor.

But if they do, he said, there would be little impact on public safety. The plan is for the the federal government to accept the waste for permanent disposal by , when the dry storage systems would be torn down as well. That gives the federal government 30 years to get a facility up and running.

By Teri Sforza tsforza scng. Join our Facebook discussion. Message us via our website or staff page. Send us a secure tip. Share your thoughts in a community opinion piece. Skip to content The San Onofre sea wall was built to withstand and protect the plant against a tsunami wave.

Two kids watch the incoming water as the tide breaks near the rip rocks by the San Onofre sea wall on Nov. Since you've made it this far, You are obviously connected to your community and value good journalism. As an independent and local nonprofit, our news is accessible to all, regardless of what they can afford.