CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Justin J. Deputy City Manager
DATE: April 19, 2022
SUBJECT: Adoption of Resolution No. 2022-1381, in Support of the Action for Spent Fuel Solutions Now Coalition
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2022-1381 in support of the Action for Spent Fuel Solutions Now coalition.
BACKGROUND
The San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) started the decommissioning process in 2013. Decommissioning of a retired nuclear power plant is a well-defined Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) process that involves safely transferring the spent fuel into storage, dismantling structures, and disposal of radioactive components and materials from the site. Since 2013 SONGS has been in the decommissioning process, and as of August of 2020, all spent nuclear fuel has been packaged in stainless steel canisters designed for both storage and transportation.
Under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, the federal government was required by law and executed contracts with nuclear power providers to take possession of and dispose of spent nuclear fuel back in 1998. Utility customers nationwide have paid nearly $41 billion into the Nuclear Waste Fund, intended to pay for the removal of spent nuclear fuel.
Currently, spent nuclear fuel is stored at SONGS and can be stored for decades at the site, per its NRC license. Southern California Edison cannot complete the decommissioning of the plant and restore the land until the federal government takes action to facilitate an offsite solution.
ANALYSIS
The "Strategic Plan for Relocation of SONGS Spent Nuclear Fuel to an Offsite Storage Facility or a Repository" was developed for SCE by a team of independent national experts and recommended the formation of a coalition of stakeholders to advocate for federal action to facilitate a licensed facility that can accept the spent nuclear fuel. Action for Spent Fuel Solution Now was created based on the report's recommendation by SCE, along with the counties of Orange and San Diego.
The City of Laguna Niguel has closely monitored the SONGS decommissioning process for several years and continues to advocate for long-term solutions for spent nuclear fuel.
Other local agencies that have monitored this process and that have taken action to support the Action for Spent Fuel Solutions Now coalition include the County of Orange, the Capistrano Unified School District, the City of San Clemente, and the City of Dana Point.
This item is of particular relevance as Public Safety is outlined as Goal #1 in the City's adopted Strategic Plan. Furthermore, the City's Legislative Platform outlines guiding policy statements regarding public safety and environmental efforts that support the relocation of spent nuclear fuel. As such, the proposed resolution (Attachment A) expresses support for the Action for Spent Fuel Solutions Now coalition and reaffirms the City's commitment to safe long-term spent fuel storage solutions.
FISCAL REVIEW
There is no fiscal impact as a result of this report.
LEGAL REVIEW
No legal review is required for this report
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2022-1381 in support of the Action for Spent Fuel Solutions Now coalition.
Dude Matin, Samara S Cetrusan
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Tamara S. Letourneau
Jeputy City Manager City Manager
KeimX. Oammon
Kevin X. O'Connor
Management Assistant
Attachments:
A. Resolution No. 2022-1381 Action for Spent Fuel Solutions Now
ATTACHMENT A
Resolution No. 2022-1381
Action for Spent Fuel Solutions Now
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-1381
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL, CALIFORNIA, IN SUPPORT OF
THE ACTION FOR SPENT FUEL SOLUTIONS NOW COALITION
WHEREAS, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) is a retired commercial nuclear power plant located in close proximity to the City of Laguna Niguel; and
WHEREAS, since 2013, SONGS has been in the decommissioning process, and as of August of 2020, all spent nuclear fuel is packaged in stainless steel canisters designed for both storage and transportation; and
WHEREAS, the federal government has failed to meet obligations to assume title, liability, and responsibility for the transportation of the spent fuel at SONGS, as it was required to do beginning in 1998 under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 and by contract; and
WHEREAS, nearly $41 billion (including interest income has been paid into the Nuclear Waste Fund by utility customers nationwide, including almost $1 billion from SONGS customers; and
WHEREAS, the lack of a national policy prevents the removal of spent fuel from SONGS, impeding the decommissioning of the plant, restoration of the site, and return of the land to the U.S. Navy; and
WHEREAS, the SONGS Strategic Plan for the Relocation of SONGS Spent Nuclear Fuel to an Offsite Storage Facility or a Repository" was developed by a team of independent national experts, and the Plan recommends the formation of a coalition of stakeholders to advocate for federal action to facilitate a licensed facility that can accept the spent fuel; and
WHEREAS, offsite interim and long-term storage options are important to enhance the health, safety, and security of residents, businesses, and visitors in the City of Laguna Niguel; and
WHEREAS, a new coalition, Action for Spent Fuel Solutions Now, provides an opportunity for stakeholders, including local governments, business and labor leaders, Native American leaders, environmental groups, and community members, to join forces and make offsite spent fuel storage and/or disposal a priority; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Laguna Niguel hereby supports the Action for Spent Fuel Solutions Now coalition and its efforts to relocate spent fuel to a federally licensed facility.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 19* day of April, 2022.
Elaine Gennawey, Mayor
ATTEST:
Thy Merritt, Deputy City Clerk