If you missed the NRC public meeting Dec. 14

Posted December 15, 2010

http://bit.ly/hAADLX

Large new upgrade components arrive at San Onofre plant

Posted December 14, 2010

San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station took delivery Dec. 13, 2010, of two new reactor vessel heads, 140-ton caps for the metal structures that contain the heat and pressure produced by the nuclear reactions that produce the super-hot water that drives the power generation process.

We are replacing the components in 2012 as a preventative step and to make it easier to refuel the plants twin reactors. Peter Dietrich, Edison's chief nuclear officer, explained that welds in the vessel heads of other plants have sometimes leaked, causing problems.

"We have not seen any of that type of situation here at San Onofre, but most plants in the nuclear industry are replacing these on kind of a preventive schedule," Dietrich said.

He added that the new vessel heads have an improved design that will result in less radiation exposure for workers. "Every year, technology gets better and we learn more," he said. "It all focuses on improving plant reliability."

The old vessel heads will be decontaminated and disposed of.

Meanwhile, replacement of other major components, the plant's steam generators, continues on schedule. The two new steam generators installed during the Unit 3 outage that began Oct. 10, 2010, are now welded into place. Other planned aspects of the outage are underway and plant personnel hope to have the unit ready to return to service early in 2011.

A third component upgrade set to take place during the same 2012 outages as the reactor vessel head project, retrofitting the plant's high-pressure turbines, will make it possible for the San Onofre facility to increase its power output by 48 million watts, enough electricity to meet the needs of 31,000 average homes.

If the plant stops operating in 2022, the end of its current operating license, the upgrades will still represent a savings for ratepayers if the cost of replacing the power plant with some other source of energy is considered. If current studies of the feasibility of applying for license renewal lead to that proposal, and regulators grant an additional 20-year license, these upgrades will provide even greater benefits to customers.

Southern California Edison's new nuclear chief meets the press

Posted November 18, 2010

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsBVmLyWktI

www.nctimes.com/news/local/sdcounty/article_7e864e65-0a2f-5aa1-a4ba-3efc04f36fb1.html

Southern California Edison names new head of its nuclear power program

Posted November 5, 2010

The Southern California Edison Board of Directors has elected Peter (Pete) Dietrich senior vice president and chief nuclear officer, effective Dec. 9. In his new role, Dietrich will be responsible for all operational, engineering and regulatory aspects of the utility's nuclear power program. He succeeds Joe Sheppard, who was serving as interim chief nuclear officer following the departure of Ross Ridenoure, who stepped down Sept. 2.

"We are pleased to have Pete's leadership of our nuclear power business at this important juncture in the 42-year history of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station," said Al Fohrer, SCE chairman and chief executive officer. "We also are making significant capital investments in the plant as part of our ongoing responsibility to provide customers with clean, reliable power," said Fohrer.

Dietrich came to Southern California Edison from Entergy Nuclear Operations where he was site vice president of the James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant in Lycoming, New York. Dietrich's responsibilities at the FitzPatrick plant included the safe, predictable and reliable operation of the facility by providing strategic guidance, direction and oversight of all aspects of plant operations, engineering, finance, training, corrective action, self-assessment, regulatory affairs and labor relations. Dietrich has 19 years experience in the commercial nuclear power industry preceded by five years of service in the U.S. Navy's Nuclear Power Program.

"We are grateful for the interim leadership Joe Sheppard has provided and for his continuing availability as an advisor to us on nuclear matters," said Fohrer.

Dietrich is 46 years of age and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy and a Master's degree in Business Administration from Tulane University.

SONGS Open House a Success

Posted August 24, 2010

More than 200 community members attended SONGS' Open House at San Clemente High School on Aug. 12 to hear about our upcoming outage and steam generator replacement, learn more about the company's environmental projects in San Clemente and Del Mar, and find out what's new in emergency planning.

The high school's Triton Center was turned into a SONGS interactive exposition with stations set up around the center covering a variety of topics of interest, including community partnerships, how the plant works and plant security.

One of the highlights of the open house was an environmental exhibit that featured several touch tanks, allowing young and old to gently handle sea life and examine samples of kelp now being grown on an artificial reef off the coast of San Clemente that was constructed by Southern California.

The event also provided an opportunity for SONGS employees to share with family, friends and neighbors the important work they do at San Onofre, as well as the many career and educational programs available at the plant.

Large Kelp Reef Built by Southern California Edison Marine Biologists Thriving

Posted August 22, 2010

For the first time, the giant kelp forest growing from the 174-acre man-made reef built by Southern California Edison has produced a flourishing canopy that has broken the ocean surface off the San Clemente coast. The large kelp ecosystem envisioned by Edison marine biologists is now a reality - a new two-mile-long underwater habitat expected to produce as much as 50 tons of fish annually and significantly enhance the region's coastal environment and recreational resources.

An independent scientific panel monitoring the reef's performance recently found that it met nine of 14 success standards in its first year, exceeding expectations.

"Early indicators suggest we have duplicated a complex ecosystem and on a very large scale," said David Kay, head of SCE environmental projects. "Now you can see this massive underwater forest, a natural habitat based on a careful 10-year plan. We worked hard to get it right the first time and it looks like we have succeeded."

"This reef project is a blueprint for how regulators and utilities can successfully balance essential energy and environmental needs," said Cecil House, SCE senior vice president. "Just as our San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station helps strengthen the power grid in Orange and San Diego counties, this collaborative project between the California Coastal Commission and the plant's owners will help strengthen the ocean environment."

The project will fully offset any impacts to a nearby natural kelp forest caused by naturally cloudy ocean water processed by the nuclear power plant. Sponsors of the reef project include plant owners San Diego Gas & Electric and the City of Riverside.

San Onofre Sets New Record for Uninterrupted Power Generation

Posted August 8

As of Saturday, August 7, 2010, San Onofre Unit 3 had been providing electricity to Southern California homes and business continuously, day and night, for 598 days. That is the longest period of uninterrupted generation since the plant was built in the 1980s. The previous consecutive day run for a San Onofre reactor unit occurred on January 2, 2001 - 597 days.

The reliable generating capacity of San Onofre's two operating units - 2,200 megawatts, enough power to meet all the needs of 1.4 million average households - is especially valuable during summer months when utility customers use peak amounts of power.

Next steps in SCE's study of license renewal

Posted July 16, 2010

Southern California Edison (SCE) has undertaken the rigorous review process required prior to applying to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for the renewal of the operating licenses of the two San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station reactors. The evaluation process includes assessing whether San Onofre's systems and components could provide continued safe operation through an additional 20-year period.

SCE is considering license renewal because of the growing importance of nuclear power to its customers and the state. San Onofre is the single largest source of generation for a growing region, and is a "baseload" facility meaning its power is depended on 24/7. In addition, the plant's generating process is virtually emission free, providing much needed support for California's ambitious environmental goals. In addition, San Onofre contributes to the diversity of SCE's power portfolio, thereby helping to stabilize customer rates when the cost of other plant fuels such as natural gas fluctuates.

The next step in San Onofre's license renewal process will be submission to the CPUC of a request for funding for the NRC license renewal application process. The filing will include a cost-effectiveness analysis that would allow the commission to determine if the plant's continued operation would benefit utility customers and the state. SCE currently plans to submit its application for license renewal to the NRC in 2012.

San Onofre Earthquake Readiness

Posted July 12, 2010

When recent earthquakes struck the Coachella Valley, Baja California and Ocotillo, Calif. we informed readers of this Website that the quakes produced slight ground movements at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station but did not affect its safe operation. In each case, plant personnel conducted inspections and found no unusual plant conditions.

Ground motion shaking is less intense the further that a site is from the earthquake fault. As a result, the recent earthquakes produced significant ground movement at their epicenters but little movement at the plant.

U.S. nuclear plants are designed to withstand earthquakes equal to or greater than the largest seismological event likely to occur in their region. Detailed studies of the region around San Onofre determined that the nearest fault capable of producing a major earthquake could create maximum ground motion at the plant site of 0.67g or .67 times the force of gravity. This means that the plant can withstand an earthquake with a magnitude of 7 on the Richter scale occurring approximately five miles from the plant. As a result, San Onofre's structural and equipment protections would allow operators to safely shut down its reactors during a quake producing that level of ground motion - 25 times stronger than the larger of the two recent earthquakes.

California has adopted legislation that directed the California Energy Commission to assess the potential impact on the state's power supply if California's two nuclear plants were adversely affected by a major seismic event or aging. In turn, the California Energy Commission recommended that Pacific Gas & Electric, operator of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, and Southern California Edison, operator of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, assess whether the plants were designed with sufficient margin to avoid major power disruptions during a major seismic event. SCE has begun that process and an assessment of current relevant seismic information, making certain that all prudent steps have been taken to protect the health and safety of those living near the plant.