Southern California Edison (SCE) is diligently undertaking the decommissioning of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), prioritizing safety and adhering strictly to both state and federal regulations. This complex process is being managed in a timely fashion, with a strong commitment to transparency through ongoing information sharing and public updates.
SCE is dedicated to fulfilling its responsibilities and acting in the best interests of the surrounding region throughout every stage of this decommissioning endeavor. The guiding principles underpinning this project are Safety, Stewardship, and Engagement, ensuring a responsible and communicative approach.
In a formal notification to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on June 12, 2013, SCE officially declared the permanent cessation of operations for Units 2 and 3, effective June 7, 2013. This Certification of Permanent Cessation of Power Operations marked the official commencement of decommissioning preparations, paving the way for the careful dismantling of the plant.
Decommissioning is a structured process defined by the NRC, designed to ensure the safe transition of used nuclear fuel into secure storage. This is followed by the systematic removal and disposal of all radioactive components and materials from the SONGS site. The ultimate goal is to reduce any remaining radioactivity to levels deemed safe for unrestricted use by both SCE personnel and the general public. This will facilitate the eventual termination of SCE’s NRC license and the return of the site to its owner, the U.S. Navy.
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Safely Dismantling SONGS: A Five-Year Milestone
October 16th marked the five-year anniversary of a significant milestone in the decommissioning of SONGS. On this date, the California Coastal Commission unanimously granted Southern California Edison a crucial Coastal Development Permit (CDP) for the dismantlement of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.
With this CDP secured, SCE and its contractors were authorized to commence the physical removal of structures from the site, initiating the process of returning the land to the U.S. Navy.
Looking back five years, considerable progress has been made at SONGS. This advancement is a direct result of the diligent work and unwavering commitment to safety demonstrated by the entire dismantlement team.
SONGS Decommissioning Solutions (SDS) is serving as the general contractor for this complex decommissioning project. During the anticipated 8-to-10-year dismantlement phase, the project is projected to generate approximately 600 jobs. A significant portion of this workforce is being recruited locally from the San Diego region, providing economic benefits to the community.
Detailed information regarding the measures being implemented to minimize public disruption and maintain public access to areas near the site throughout this decommissioning process can be found at the link provided below.
Guiding Principles for SONGS Nuclear Decommissioning
SCE, along with the past and present owners of San Onofre who share responsibility for the decommissioning, have established a set of core principles to guide this extensive and intricate undertaking. These guiding principles—Safety, Stewardship, and Engagement—are fundamental to SCE’s vision of making the San Onofre nuclear plant decommissioning a benchmark for excellence within the nuclear industry.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Oversight and Inspection Reports
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission maintains continuous oversight of SONGS throughout the decommissioning process, conducting regular on-site inspections. These comprehensive reviews encompass a range of critical areas, including quarterly decommissioning inspections, thorough examinations of spent fuel storage protocols, and stringent security inspections.
