Community

Employees at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station are dedicated to performing at the highest professional level, and to supporting the communities in which they work and live. Here you will find the latest updates on our work in the community.

SONGS Honored with Sustainable Business Award

The San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) was recently honored with the Sustainable Business Award for its green initiatives from the Industrial Environmental Association (IEA) and the County of San Diego.

SONGS was recognized for its waste management initiative that is in place to convert seaweed waste to energy. During 2012, SONGS removed more than 261 tons of seaweed from the station's intake structure - which uses the ocean water to help cool the plant's components and systems. Once removed from the intake structure, the seaweed was dried and transported to Waste Management's El Sobrante Landfill and Recycling Center, where it was utilized within the center's gas-to-energy generators that transform decomposing garbage into methane gas into electricity and power.

The center's process significantly lowers air emission and is one of the largest and cleanest burning facilities of its kind globally. As the landfill fills, the amount of available methane will grow, increasing the potential for more green power.

Although just a very small fraction of the required amount to run one generator; this process helps SONGS close the loop for its seaweed waste stream – taking what would otherwise be wasted and utilizing the maximum renewable resources possible for sustainable business practices.

Photo Caption:

Chemistry and Environmental Principal Manager Andrew Martinez (pictured at right) receives award on behalf of SONGS from San Diego County Board of Supervisors' Greg Cox.

Energy Explained at SONGS Community Open House in Westminster

The San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) hosted an interactive exhibit and off-site Open House Thursday, May 2, in Westminster. The event was free, open to the public and included informational booths on different subjects such as how the nuclear power plant works, emergency planning, community partnerships, steam generators, security and environmental initiatives as well as special activities for children.

SONGS subject matter experts spoke with members of the community and answered their questions about how energy and electricity are produced by the power plant, the scope of work involved with repairing and inspecting the steam generators in Unit 2 and the plan to move the station forward to a position of generating electricity safely and reliably (once the Nuclear Regulatory Commission approves the station's Confirmatory Action Letter response).

More off-site open house activities will be planned in 2013. Check back regularly on this website for updates.

SONGS Hosts Community Open House at the Oceanside Library

The San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) hosted an open house last week at the Oceanside Library. This was the second open house held in Oceanside. These events give SONGS the opportunity to reach out to and engage the community and demonstrate our commitment to safety.

Staffed with subject matter experts from the plant, the open house provides information about SONGS and consists of multiple booths on topics such as emergency preparedness, steam generators, security, safety and easy-to-understand explanations of how a nuclear power plant works. The event was free and included refreshments, face painting and craft activities for children.

This was the first open house of 2013. Check back regularly on this website for updates on the location and date of the next open house.

Youth Group is saved by SONGS grant

When the OC Human Relations' Esperanza youth group ran out of funding for their after school program last year, they were forced to close their doors to the community. That's when Southern California Edison's San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) stepped in with a grant to bring the program back.

SONGS worked with the San Clemente Collaborative to present the grant to the youth group program, created to provide tutoring and other services to some of San Clemente's "at risk" youth. Edison believes that education is critical to maintaining and growing a vibrant society. Its educational partnerships help nurture the imaginations of our youth and foster the academic success of the future workforce.

The grant proceeds will go toward tutors, sports scholarships for high-achieving students, club soccer and memberships to Fitness 19.

SONGS Receives Award from the City of San Clemente

Recently, Southern California Edison's San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) was recognized for its support of the San Clemente KindnesSCounts campaign and for contributing to the CUSD Lobo Elementary School's Bullying Prevention Pilot Program.

These two programs were created to bring more awareness to the issues of bullying and they focus on prevention and searching for new ways to ensure the safety and comfort of students.

"Without SONGS support, neither of these two programs would have been possible," noted Trudy Podobas, Capistrano Council of PTSAs, San Clemente Family Mentor.

Community Open Houses held by SONGS

The San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) recently hosted three open house events for the public in the cities of Vista, San Clemente and Laguna Hills. The concept behind the open houses is to provide information about SONGS to anyone who would like to attend and learn about the plant.

Staffed with subject matter experts from the plant, the open house events consist of multiple booths on different topics such as emergency preparedness, steam generators and high-level, easy-to-understand explanations of how a nuclear power plant works. Attendees get the opportunity to interface with staff members and ask questions. These events also give SONGS the opportunity to educate the community and demonstrate our commitment to safety.

More open houses will be planned in 2013. Check back regularly on this website for updates.