The San Onofre Task Force of the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter commends the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for its unanimous decision to launch an investigation into the rates, operations, practices, services and facilities of Southern California Edison (SCE) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), related to the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station Units 2 and 3.
The Commission met on October 25, 2012 to hear public input on the shutdown of the San Onofre facility and to vote on the related Order Instituting Investigation.
In an opening statement, Commissioner Michael Florio said that within 45 days the utilities will testify on proposed rate adjustments and will be required to show costs related to San Onofre. He added that it may never be safe or economic to restart the plant.
In that event, PUC long-range plans will address permanent removal of San Onofre from the supply base. “We have a responsibility to protect utility ratepayers and system users,†Florio concluded.
In its statement to the Commission, the Sierra Club noted that the San Onofre facility has been shutdown since January yet ratepayers have been paying $54 million a month in charges for the plant – an average $10 for each household in its service area. The defective system that forced shutdown cost $771 million but only $137 million is recoverable through the manufacturer’s warranty.
The Angeles Chapter is the local voice of the Sierra Club, America’s oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. Its 40,000 members in Los Angeles and Orange Counties strive to explore, enjoy and protect nature in their communities and the planet.
For more information about the Angeles Chapter: www.angeles.sierraclub.org
