Statement on NRC Announcement that Fuel Loading can Resume Safely

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

ROSEMEAD, Calif., May 21, 2019 —The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) announcement today supporting the re-start of fuel transfer operations at San Onofre nuclear plant is an important milestone in the ultimate journey to permanent offsite storage of the spent nuclear fuel. We look forward to the NRC’s public webinar on Monday, June 3.

Since the event on Aug. 3, 2018, SCE and its contractor have performed a comprehensive review of spent nuclear fuel transfer operations and created a more robust program through better procedures, better training, and more intrusive oversight. This, in part, includes the addition of cameras and load monitoring equipment which will provide valuable information during download operations. We have demonstrated these improvements are effective and sustainable through numerous dry runs, regulatory inspections and independent reviews.

SCE has also completed visual assessments of eight loaded canisters. The incidental contact that may occur during canister downloading, as the NRC recently re-affirmed, poses no impact to the safe storage of spent fuel.

The ultimate decision on when fuel transfer operations will resume will be made following a careful review of operational readiness by SCE and our contractor. SCE will continue to provide timely updates to the community and our stakeholders as we move through this process.