SONGS Spent Fuel: Onsite Storage and Initiative to Relocate Offsite

Oct 16, 2025
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Key Takeaways

The seminar focused on SCE’s efforts to provide for the safe onsite storage of spent nuclear fuel, the role of canister inspections, and how inspections have confirmed canisters remain in good condition. After a challenge by the CEP on Aug. 28 to release all inspection photographs, SCE agreed to do so, building trust by making more than 1,700 images available on the SONGS website. The seminar also highlighted SCE’s initiative to clear San Onofre of spent fuel.

A comprehensive discussion covered a defense-in-depth strategy for onsite storage including design, fabrication, operations, inspections, and repair. During a deep dive on inspections, an SCE engineer reviewed dozens of canister images and explained areas of interest including buffing and fabrication marks, dust, stains, rub marks, scratches, and streaking from dried rainwater. Third party expert Dr. James Burns – whose award-winning work has been recognized by NASA and the federal government – provided background on corrosion an independent assessment that no canister images show evidence of corrosion.

In the event canister repair is ever needed in the coming years and decades, SCE has a metallic overlay repair method at the ready. At the same time, it was explained that safety scenarios have been rigorously analyzed under NRC regulations and industry programs, and there are no credible accidents at SONGS that result in an offsite release of radiological material.

SCE assured the spent fuel is actively monitored and safely stored. Still, the CEP has asked for updates on future inspections, the next of which will take place in late 2026.

The CEP discussion covered the federal government’s failure to comply with its legal and contractual obligations related to spent fuel which have resulted in the need for onsite storage. SCE released the “Strategic Plan for the Relocation of SONGS Spent Nuclear Fuel to a Federal Storage or Disposal Facility” in 2021. At the same time SCE teamed with local governments to form the Spent Fuel Solutions coalition that supports efforts to clear all US plant sites of spent fuel including SONGS. Coalition Co-Chairs, San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond and Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, were recognized for their leadership.

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Meeting Information

Date: October 16, 2025

Time 5:30 – 8:30 pm (PT)

Location: The Casino San Clemente 140 Avenida Pico, San Clemente, CA 92672 and via Microsoft Teams (link provided below)

Parking: Parking surrounding the Casino San Clemente venue is metered. SCE will provide free parking passes at the entrance of the Casino San Clemente. Park your car, pick up your pass and hang it on your vehicle review mirror.

Note: The venue parking passes are limited by the city and will be provided on a first come first serve basis. Free parking is available on side streets. Refer to the CEP Educational Seminar Fact Sheet and Parking Pass Information in the meeting materials list for details and a map.

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How to Submit a Question/Comment

Early submittal of questions/comments before a CEP meeting increases the likelihood of a response during the hour long facilitated public dialogue portion of the meeting.

  • Questions and comments may be submitted via email to: nuccomm@songs.sce.com.
  • Questions and comments submitted in advance of the meeting and related to agenda topics will be—to the greatest extent possible—addressed in the presentation and/or discussed during facilitated public dialogue or, if necessary, responded to via email following the meeting.
  • Questions and comments received via NUCCOMM and related to agenda topics will be addressed first; questions on broader topics received during the public comment period will be addressed subsequently.

To submit questions/comments during a CEP meeting, use the CEP Comment Form link (if attending virtually) or use the hardcopy CEP Question/Comment Cards (if attending in-person) available at the registration table near the facility entrance.

  • Questions and comments will be added to the queue in order of receipt.
  • Questions and comments related to the meeting agenda topics will be —to the greatest extent possible—addressed during facilitated public dialogue or, if necessary, responded to via email following the meeting.
  • Victor Cabral and Martha McNicholas will facilitate the public dialogue portion of the meeting.

How to Sign Up to Speak

To sign up to speak:

  • Complete the CEP Comment Form (if attending virtually)
  • Complete the CEP Question/Comment card (including name) available at the registration table at the entrance of venue
  • The Chairman will call on individuals by name one at a time to speak
    • the Microsoft Teams microphone will be opened for each individual (if attending virtually)
    • each individual may speak at the microphone provided on the lectern at the facility
    • people in the room will speak first followed by those attending online

Each speaker will have three minutes to ask a question or deliver a comment.

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