Welcome to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) website for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review of the proposed replacement of steam generators for Units 2 and 3 at Southern California Edison's San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). An application for this project was submitted to the CPUC on February 27, 2004. This site provides access to public documents and information relevant to the CEQA review process.

Background

Southern California Edison Company (SCE) has filed an application with the CPUC to: (1) replace the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station Units 2 and 3 (SONGS 2 & 3) steam generators; (2) establish ratemaking for cost recovery; and (3) address other related steam generator replacement issues. The project would enable SONGS 2 & 3 to remain in service until the end of the current terms of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licenses. The current licenses both authorize SONGS 2 & 3 to operate until 2022. However, the existing steam generators have exhibited degradation and they are currently predicted to reach the end of their operating life within the next several years. The original steam generators will eventually reach a state where, under applicable NRC regulations, either the steam generators must be replaced or the units must be shut down.

SONGS 2 & 3 went into operation in 1983 and 1984, respectively. SONGS 2 & 3 use four steam generators, two per unit, which are large heat exchangers that convert heat from the reactor into steam to drive the turbine generators and produce electricity. All four would be replaced as part of the proposed project. SONGS 2 & 3 produce a combined nominal 2,150 net megawatts of electric power, enough to power approximately 2.1 million homes. The SONGS facility is located in northwest San Diego County and surrounded by Camp Pendleton, San Onofre State Beach, and Interstate 5.

Proponent's Environmental Assessment (PEA)

SCE filed a PEA with the Application in February 2004. This document provided a starting point for the environmental review process conducted by the CPUC.

Environmental Review Process

The CPUC on October 1, 2004, issued a Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for SONGS Steam Generator Replacement Project. Scoping meetings were held in October 2004. Scoping meetings were held in October 2004.

The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) was issued on April 15, 2005.

The submittal period for written comments on the Draft EIR ended May 31, 2005.

The Final Environmental Impact Report (Final EIR) was issued on September 21, 2005. The Final EIR consists of two volumes: Volume I is the complete EIR showing changes made to the Draft EIR, and Volume II consists of all comments on the Draft EIR and responses to comments.

There is no comment period following issuance of the Final EIR. The CPUC will determine the adequacy of the Final EIR, and, if the EIR is found to be adequate, will certify the document as compliant with CEQA. The CPUC will issue a Decision on the Proposed Project, which will be announced and published concurrent with a scheduled CPUC Meeting.

For Additional Information

Requests for additional information should be sent to: