Southern California Edison Welcomes Interest on Long-term Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel

(Earlier today, Rep. Mike Levin's office issued a news release announcing the formation of a task force to address long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel at San Onofre nuclear plant. Below is Southern California Edison's response.)

Southern California Edison welcomes Congressman Mike Levin’s interest in the issues surrounding the long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel. The congressman and SCE share common ground in a desire to have the spent fuel at the San Onofre nuclear plant (SONGS) moved to a permanent geologic repository or a consolidated interim storage site. Any option to move the spent fuel takes action by the federal government to approve such a site, an effort that is now decades behind schedule. Achieving a long-term storage solution requires working together in the timeliest and most efficient manner.

The Community Engagement Panel was chartered in 2014 specifically to enhance and foster open communication, public involvement and education on SONGS decommissioning activities, including on the issues of spent nuclear fuel storage, and to ensure stakeholders and the public have a voice in the process. The independent San Onofre CEP has been recognized as a best practice panel and an effective forum to examine important topics, provide information from subject matter experts, and answer questions from the public. SCE has accepted and acted upon suggestions from community members through the CEP process and looks forward to continuing to be responsive to community needs through this venue.

The CEP is an acknowledged, credible body. In September of 2018, CEP Chair David Victor testified before the U.S. House Oversight & Government Reform Subcommittee on Interior, Energy & Environment. Just this week, the Los Angeles Times published an op-ed written by the volunteer CEP officers urging Congress to take action on off-site storage of spent fuel.

We welcome Rep. Levin to work with the Community Engagement Panel on his ideas about solving long-term spent nuclear fuel storage issues, and explore ways we can partner on our shared goals. Hopefully together, all stakeholders can collaborate to accelerate national efforts to approve and complete spent fuel storage alternatives.

Media Contact: John Dobken, (626) 302-2255

About Southern California Edison

An Edison International (NYSE:EIX) company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, serving a population of approximately 15 million via 5 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern California.