CEP/Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition Joint Meeting - Solving the U.S. Nuclear Waste Challenge: A Dialogue on the Path Forward

Jun 04, 2026
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
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Key Takeaways

The SONGS CEP and Spent Fuel Solutions coalition hosted a joint panel discussion on recent developments in pursuit of the offsite disposition of used nuclear fuel in the US. Momentum is building across the public and private sectors around Department of Energy (DOE) programs supporting Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses that include disposal.

Representative Mike Levin (CA-49) delivered opening remarks, stating at least four states were open to disposal as part of hosting Innovation Campuses, awardees may be announced in July, and that groundbreaking may start as early as 2027. The Congressman said prioritizing used fuel from shutdown sites like San Onofre will be a central part of a bipartisan legislative effort that also will seek to create a single-purpose entity to take over management of the US used fuel program. Finally, he mentioned his work to help secure $112 million in appropriations in a 2027 bill to support the current used fuel management program within DOE.

The panel discussion focused on the need for (1) a new single-purpose entity not subject to election cycles to manage the transportation, interim storage and disposal facilities for used fuel; (2) reliable funding; and (3) the importance of trust and demonstrated competence.

Panelists were Allison Macfarlane, former NRC Chair and member of the president’s Blue-Ribbon Commission (BRC) on America’s Nuclear Future; Lake Barrett, former DOE senior official in the Office of Nuclear Energy; and Tom Isaacs, Independent Advisor to SCE for Nuclear Waste, former senior DOE official, lead advisor to the BRC, and for over 20 years, Chair of the Site Selection Review Group within the Canadian Nuclear Waste Management Organization.

In January, Macfarlane and Barrett published The Path Forward for Nuclear Waste in the US report which calls for a well-funded NuCorp to manage the used fuel program. The panel discussed the window of opportunity to realize used fuel disposal, key features of a successful US program, lessons learned, and strategic considerations.

SCE updated the community on a Severity Level IV non-cited violation from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission due to a low-level solid radioactive waste shipment from SONGS to a storage facility in Utah that did not meet a <1% liquid content requirement. There was no leak, nor consequences to public health or safety. Corrective actions have been implemented.

This summer, SCE will make improvements to the beach walkway to ensure public access from the north to the south end of San Onofre State Beach. More rip-rap will be added along the walkway. The seawall is in good condition and out of scope.

Shareables

CEP/Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition Joint Meeting - Solving the U.S. Nuclear Waste Challenge: A Dialogue on the Path Forward

Guest Panelists:

  • Allison Macfarlane, a lead co-author of the “Path Forward” report; Professor and Director, School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, University of British Columbia; former member of the Blue-Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future; former Chair of the US NRC
  • Lake Barrett, a lead co-author of the “Path Forward” report and a former senior official of the Department of Energy who directed the program for disposal of spent fuel and high-level waste that culminated in the selection of the Yucca Mountain geologic repository in 2002
  • Tom Isaacs serves as the Independent Advisor to Southern California Edison for nuclear waste. He has been a senior executive in the Department of Energy, was lead advisor to the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future (BRC), and for over 20 years helped guide the Canadian Nuclear Waste Management Organization including as Chair of the Site Selection Review Group
Facilitator:
  • Chris Wahl, Executive Director, Spent Fuel Solutions

Date: Thursday, June 4, 2026

Time 5:30 – 8:00 pm (PT)

Location: The Casino San Clemente, 140 Avenida Pico, San Clemente, CA and via Microsoft Teams (hybrid in-person/online meeting)

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 rear view 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-SFS Meeting Fact Sheet & Parking Pass Information in the materials list for details and a map.

How to Join the Meeting Virtually via Microsoft Teams

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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.

Meeting Materials: