San Onofre experiencing more problems than its Aging Steam Generators

A faulty valve was responsible for the third shutdown at the San Onfofre Nuclear Plant in the past three months. The first two times the reactor shutdown it was automatically activated by plants safety system. This event triggered shutdown by plant employees.

An Article in the San Diego Union Tribune on Feb 16, 2005, by Adam Klawonn, disclosed another problem resulting in plant shutdown. The article cited that Unit 2, where all three problems have occurred, had just finished a refueling outage on November 22, 2004.

So. Cal Edison has requested that its ratepayers pay for over $700 million in steam generator replacement costs beginning in 2014. Edison has also requested funding for replacing its reactor vessel head. SDG&E is opposing Edison's request as not in the best interest of its ratepayers.

CPUC hearings ended for this request on Feb 11, 2005. Ratepayers will be given an opportunity to address Edison's request before a decision is made. Comments can be sent in advance to: Commissioner Geoff Brown, 505 Van Ness, San Francisco, California 94102-3298