No Easy Solutions for San Onofre’s Spent Nuclear Fuel: A Concern for Public Safety The San Onofre nuclear power plant, nestled between the 5 Freeway and the Pacific Ocean near San Clemente, has been a subject of controversy since its inception in 1968. After decades of activism, the plant was finally shut down in 2013. However, the issue of what to do with the 16,000 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel left on the site is now a cause for concern. KTLA recently received an exclusive tour of the current state of operations at San Onofre. Out of the 62 structures, 40 have already been dismantled, with the famous domes set to be the last to go. Ron Pontes, a member of the decommissioning team, explained that approximately one billion pounds, or 500,000 tons, of material will be removed from the site. Due to high radiation levels, some of the remaining materials cannot be sent to a landfill and need to be transported to specialized sites in other states via train or truck. Furthermore, certain materials are too radioactive to be transported anywhere at the moment. The spent nuclear fuel is stored in containers next to the ocean, but rather than the glowing, green radioactive goop depicted in cartoons and movies, tiny ceramic pellets are stored inside large steel canisters, which are then lowered into steel vaults. The vaults are topped with 15-ton lids. Manuel Camargo, SoCal Edison’s Principal Manager for Strategic Planning, insists that this configuration is the safest for onsite storage of spent nuclear fuel. He claims that even on the worst day, there would be no offsite release of radiological materials that could affect public health in the surrounding areas. However, not everyone shares this confidence. Activist Donna Gilmore, who runs sanonofresafety.org, raises concerns about the thickness of the canister walls and the overall location of the storage site. SoCal Edison disagrees with these concerns but acknowledges that the larger issue at hand is finding a solution for the spent fuel. The federal government’s plan to store the spent fuel at Yucca Mountain, approximately 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas, fell through due to strong opposition from Nevada. Now, with funding from Congress, the Department of Energy is exploring a new approach called “Consent-Based Siting,” which entails shipping waste only to places that are willing to accept it. Representative Mike Levin (D-49th District) explains that consent is crucial in this process. This might require financial incentives for communities willing to host the waste. The goal is to ensure that wherever the waste is sent, it is wanted and the risks are understood. However, this process will take time. The last containment dome is set to be demolished around 2028, and the thousands of tons of spent nuclear fuel may remain on the site for another decade or longer. The issue of San Onofre’s spent nuclear fuel raises significant concerns about public safety. It is essential for all stakeholders to work together, engaging in a transparent and informed dialogue, to find a long-term solution that prioritizes the well-being of not only the local communities but also the environment. We must ensure that the legacy of San Onofre is one that promotes safety, responsibility, and accountability in the management of nuclear waste.