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.

Notice of Preparation and Project Scoping

The CPUC on October 1, 2004, issued a Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the SONGS Steam Generator Replacement Project. In order to gather information on public and agency concerns about the project as proposed and recommendations about alternatives, two public scoping meetings have been scheduled for October 21, 2004, at the following times and location:

Comments on specific topics and alternatives that should be included in the EIR can be mailed to:

Nicolas Procos
California Public Utilities Commission
c/o Aspen Environmental Group
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 935
San Francisco, CA  94104

Comments can also be submitted by fax: (949) 203-6410. E-mail comments can be sent to the following address: sanonofre@aspeneg.com

All comments must be postmarked by November 1, 2004.

Proponent's Environmental Assessment (PEA)

The PEA may be viewed here. It should be noted that there have been a number of data requests and data responses for this project, which have provided additional clarification on project components as well as construction and operation activities. The latest information for this project will be provided in the project description of the Draft EIR that is currently being prepared for the SONGS Steam Generator Replacement Project.

Draft Environmental Impact Report

A Draft EIR is currently being prepared for the proposed project by the CPUC. When completed, the Draft EIR will be released for public review and will be available on this website.

For Additional Information

The CPUC, through its Environmental Review Team, is preparing an environmental review of the project. The CPUC's Project Manager is:

Nicolas Procos, CPUC Project Manager
California Public Utilities Commission
c/o Aspen Environmental Group
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 935
San Francisco, CA  94104
Tel. (415) 703-5289
Fax (415) 703-2200
Email: NBP@cpuc.ca.gov

To request additional information or to be added to the mailing list, please contact us by email, fax, or phone, as follows:

Project email: sanonofre@aspeneg.com
Project fax and voicemail: (949) 203-6410