In a significant policy pivot addressing the long-standing issue of spent nuclear fuel storage at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), the San Diego County Board of Supervisors has unanimously agreed to explore new paths forward. According to NBC San Diego, Supervisor Jim Desmond spearheaded the proposal, which aims to examine alternatives for the radioactive waste currently residing on the coastal site.
The board's decision, passed on Tuesday, is meant to provide better options for safely reprocessing or removing the spent fuel that has been a source of contention for years. Desmond emphasized the urgency of this endeavor, citing a recent 3.1 magnitude earthquake near San Clemente as a reminder of the inherent risks associated with storing such material near fault lines. As KPBS reported, Desmond stated that there's a need "to be able to explore utilizing spent nuclear fuel to strengthen and diversify our grid, maybe even lowering energy costs for our working families."
The county's approach includes attempting to partner with national laboratories to research the possibilities of reprocessing the waste at facilities like the one proposed by Oklo in Tennessee. This could involve transitioning the fuel to an off-site location where it would be repurposed into fuel for fast reactors. Both local and federal agencies are being called upon to join the county in this effort, with Southern California Edison and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission at the forefront of the conversation.
Despite the Board of Supervisors' resolve, the path ahead is fraught with logistical and fiscal challenges. Moving the radioactive material is not only complex but also expensive, and the potential for public opposition looms large. As Mehdi Sarram, a retired nuclear engineer and Carlsbad resident, told KPBS, "public opposition probably will be there." He emphasized that, until a firm decision and funding are in place for long-term storage, the spent fuel is considered safe in its current canisters.
