Regular Meeting – SONGS Environmental Stewardship

Mar 07, 2024
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Key Takeaways

A virtual meeting of the Community Engagement Panel included updates on SONGS environmental stewardship programs and the status of the decommissioning effort.

The environmental update was the focus topic of the evening and provided detailed information regarding the SONGS environmental programs, sea level rise (SLR), liquid batch releases, and the Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program (REMP).

SCE shared the results of the 2022 SLR Impact Assessment Report, which is required annually by the California State Lands Commission. The report concluded that the “riprap” is in good condition and able to withstand extreme sea level rise through at least 2050. The beaches fronting SONGS have narrowed to pre-construction widths and mainly have been influenced by dry weather conditions since the early 2000s. The Holtec independent spent fuel storage installation support foundation remains above the ground water table through 2050.

SCE explained the process for cleaning up radioactive waste system water prior to releases. Ocean discharges are permitted by SONGS’ National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit, which is required by the Clean Water Act, a federal program administered by the California State Water Boards that establishes limits on what can be discharged as well as monitoring requirements. Discharge of radioactive materials is exclusively regulated by the NRC, which establishes limits.

The environmental segment included details about the SONGS Radioactive Effluent Control Program (RECP) which provides release requirements for sampling, concentrations, and dose limits, and the REMP which monitors for accumulation in the environment over time, validates releases from RECP are accounted for, and direct measurement of important dose pathways such as ingestion, inhalation, and direct radiation. Results are available in a report posted online.

The dismantlement update included a review of the project schedule and current activities, including photos. SCE is more than halfway done with the current phase of dismantlement, with full completion expected by the end of 2028.

Shareables

SONGS CEP Regular Meeting

Date: March 7, 2024

Time: 2:00 – 5:00 pm (PST) / 5:00 – 8:00 pm (EST)

Location: via Microsoft Teams (link provided below)

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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 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)
  • Sign up at the registration table at the entrance of the meeting 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

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