ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: City Manager Item No: D3
Prepared by:
Imelda Huerta, Assistant to the City
Manager Meeting Date: June 27, 2023
Approved by: John Conley, City Manager Agenda Location: Discussion SUBJECT: SPENT FUEL SOLUTIONS SUPPORT
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2023- , in support of Spent Fuel Solutions and authorizing participation in the Action for Spent Fuel Solutions Now Coalition.
CORRELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS: Climate and Environmental Responsibility PRIOR ACTION: None
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: Mayor Franklin requested the City Manager place a discussion item on an upcoming agenda to discuss adoption of a Resolution in support of spent fuel solutions and the City’s participation in the action for Spent Fuel Solutions Now Coalition.
In August 2021, the County of San Diego Board Supervisors Jim Desmond and Terra Lawson-Remer, submitted a letter advocating for the removal and relocation of spent nuclear fuel from the San Diego region, which was unanimously approved. The letter, which includes San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) background and federal action, is included as Exhibit 2.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this discussion item.
EXHIBITS:
1.City Council Resolution No. 2023- , in support of Spent Fuel Solutions and authorizing participation in the Action for Spent Fuel Solutions Now Coalition
2.2021 County of San Diego Board Letter and SONGS background AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
06/27/2023 D3 1 of 10
Approved above recommendation, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-131. Vote: 5-0
00029213 7
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF
VISTA, CALIFORNIA, IN SUPPORT OF SPENT FUEL SOLUTIONS AND
AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTION FOR SPENT FUEL
SOLUTIONS NOW COALITION
The City Council of the City of Vista does resolve as follows:
1. Findings. The City Council hereby finds and declares the following:
A. San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) is a retired commercial nuclear power plant located in San Diego County that has all its spent nuclear fuel packaged in stainless steel canisters designed for both storage and transportation; and B. Despite legal and contractual requirements, there is currently no existing federal repository or interim storage facility in place to address the nation’s current and growing inventory of spent nuclear fuel now stranded at sites such as SONGS in 34 states across the country; and
C. Under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (Public Law 97-425) the federal government was required to assume title, liability, and transportation responsibility beginning in 1998, but has failed to do so. Nearly $41 billion has been paid through utility fees into the Nuclear Fund managed by the Department of Energy for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel; and D. The lack of a federal disposal facility prevents removal of the spent nuclear fuel from being removed from SONGS, impeding the decommissioning of the plant, restoration of site, and return of the land to the Navy; and
E. Starting in 2025 California will hold the largest amount of stranded spent fuel in the nation and the lack of effective timeline and metrics for spent nuclear fuel has led to stranded spent nuclear fuel throughout the United States; and that Congress should consider new or amended federal legislation for removal of spent nuclear fuel from reactor sites including the SONGS site on San Onofre State Beach; and
F. A new coalition, Action for Spent Fuel Solutions Now with founding members of the County of Orange, County of San Diego, County of Riverside, Southern California Edison (SCE), San Diego Gas & Electric and the City of Riverside 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.
2. Action.
A. The City Council hereby supports Spent Fuel Solution and the City’s participation in the Action for Spent Fuel Solutions Now Coalition.
06/27/2023 D3 2 of 10
EXHIBIT 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA
PAGE 2
00029213 7EXH1 - 2023 Resolution template -COV (00029213-8xBECB1) - Spent Fu.docx
3. Adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a meeting of the City Council of the City of Vista held on June 27, 2023, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
WALTER CHUNG, CITY ATTORNEY
By:
APPROVED
Walter C. Chung
20230616082323
JOHN B. FRANKLIN, MAYOR
ATTEST:
KATHY VALDEZ, CITY CLERK
By:
06/27/2023 D3 3 of 10
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
AGENDA ITEM
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
NORA VARGAS
First District
JOEL ANDERSON
Second District
TERRA LAWSON-REMER
Third District
NATHAN FLETCHER
Fourth District
JIM DESMOND
Fifth District
Legistar v1.0 1
DATE: August 17, 2021 XX
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
..Title ADVOCATING FOR THE REMOVAL AND RELOCATION OF SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL FROM THE SAN DIEGO REGION (DISTRICTS: ALL)
..Body OVERVIEW
The San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) operated in the northwest corner of San Diego County for more than 47 years. The station ceased all nuclear operations in June 2013 after excessive vibrations and other issues degraded tubes in steam generators. Stored on the site today is 1,400 metric tons of spent fuel, a direct byproduct of 45 years of nuclear operations. SONGS is currently in year one of an eight-year dismantlement process.
At this time, the federal government has not provided a permanent repository for spent nuclear fuel that could accept SONGS’ spent fuel. Thus, Southern California Edison (SCE) must continue to store the nuclear waste onsite in dry cask storage indefinitely. The spent fuel must be relocated offsite for the SONGS site to be fully restored and the land to be returned to the U.S. Navy to support the national security mission of training Marines.
A new coalition – Action For Spent Fuel Solutions Now – has been created with an executive board that includes the plant owners and local governments. This decision-making body is composed of Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric, The County of Orange and potentially San Diego County. Moving San Onofre’s spent nuclear fuel offsite is a shared priority for local communities and SONG’s co-owners. The executive board will set goals and direct efforts to advocate for the removal of spent fuel from SONGS to a federally licensed facility.
Today the Board of Supervisors will receive an update on the current status of ‘SONGS’ and the Action For Spent Fuel Solutions Now; including participation in the Action For Spent Fuel Solutions Now coalition.
In addition, today’s action will approve a resolution in which the coalition will advocate for the removal and relocation of spent nuclear fuel from the San Diego Region and would also authorize the Director of the Department of Purchasing and Contracting to enter into single source negotiations with Southwest Strategies to procure management services that support the work of the coalition.
06/27/2023 D3 4 of 10
EXHIBIT 2
SUBJECT: ADVOCATING FOR THE REMOVAL AND RELOCATION OF SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL FROM THE SAN DIEGO REGION (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Legistar v1.0 2
RECOMMENDATION(S)
SUPERVISOR JIM DESMOND AND SUPERVISOR TERRA LAWSON-REMER
1. Adopt a resolution entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF
THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTION FOR SPENT FUEL SOLUTIONS NOW COALITION” which is a coalition of regional partners who seek to advocate for the removal and re-location of spent nuclear fuel from the San Diego County region.
2. In accordance with Board Policy A-87, Competitive Procurement, approve and authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting to enter into negotiations with Southwest Strategies; and, subject to successful negotiations and determination of a fair and reasonable price, award a contract for management of the Action For Fuel Spent Fuel Solutions Now coalition with an objective to secure a federally licensed storage or disposal solution for the spent fuel at SONGS for one year beginning September 1, 2021 and ending August 31, 2022 with one option year to extend, and to amend the contract as needed to reflect changes to services and funding.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The County of San Diego recognizes the impact the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station has had on the community. Based on a continued review of available data, it is understood that health disparities and inequalities do exist across a wide range of environmental exposures, social determinants, and access by sex, race and ethnicity, income, education, disability status and other social characteristics.
The County of San Diego will continue encouraging federal leaders to pursue legislation, appropriations, and consent-based siting for spent fuel storage/disposal facilities; mobilizing at key points in the legislative process to advocate for necessary legislation and appropriations; and securing a federally licensed storage or disposal solution for the spent fuel at SONGS and other facilities. Day-to-day activities will be managed by a coalition manager in the hope to alleviate community impacts.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this request are included in the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Operational Plan in the Office of Emergency Services. If approved, this request will result in costs and revenue of up to $100,000 in Fiscal Year 2021-22. The funding source is existing General Purpose Revenue. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
..Details ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
N/A
06/27/2023 D3 5 of 10
SUBJECT: ADVOCATING FOR THE REMOVAL AND RELOCATION OF SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL FROM THE SAN DIEGO REGION (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Legistar v1.0 3
BACKGROUND
The San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) operated in the northwest corner of San Diego County for more than 45 years. Construction on the first of three units that would ultimately be built at the site began in 1964 and, in 1968, Unit 1 began commercial operation. Construction on Units 2 and 3 began in 1972 and commercial operation began in 1983 and 1984, respectively.
By April 1987, SONGS ranked second in gross electricity generation in the United States, generating nearly 17.4 million megawatts.
After nearly 25 years of power generation, Unit 1 was shut down in November 1992 and then largely decommissioned in 2005. Units 2 and 3 remained operational until January 2012, when the former was taken offline for routine maintenance and the latter was shut down. In the same month, Southern California Edison (SCE) announced that both units would remain shut down due to excessive wear found in steam generator tubes. By June 2013, SCE announced the permanent retirement of SONGS. Stored on the site today are 123 canisters with 1,400 metric tons of spent fuel, a direct byproduct of nuclear operations of over 45 years. Even after being taken out of service, the nuclear waste remains radioactive. Its perpetual storage in San Diego County is of concern for county residents and the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. SONGS is currently in year one of an eight-year dismantlement process.
The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 created a timetable and procedure for establishing a permanent, underground repository for high-level radioactive waste by the mid-1990s. In addition, Congress designated the U.S. Department of Energy as responsible for developing a Disposal facility for the long-term management of spent nuclear fuel from SONGS and other U.S. commercial nuclear power plants. At this time, the federal government has failed to provide a permanent repository for spent nuclear fuel from SONGS. The Nuclear Waste Policy Act also established a fee of 1 mill (one-tenth of one cent) per kilowatt-hour to provide for the eventual disposal of spent nuclear fuel from commercial power plants. Through customer cash contributions and accrued interest, the Nuclear Waste Fund has grown to approximately $44 billion. Spent nuclear fuel can be safely stored on site at SONGS for decades, but SCE cannot complete decommissioning of the plant and restore the land until the federal government takes action to facilitate an off-site solution. San Diego County is committed to protecting the best interests of its citizens, and to do so, we must object to SONGS being used as a perpetual storage site for spent nuclear waste.
A new coalition – Action For Spent Fuel Solutions Now – has been created with an executive board that includes the plant owners and local governments. This decision-making body is composed of Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric, The County of Orange and potentially San Diego County. Moving San Onofre’s spent nuclear fuel off-site is a shared priority for local communities and SONG’s Co-owners. The executive board will set goals and direct efforts to advocate for the removal of spent fuel from SONGS to a federally licensed facility.
The coalition’s actions will include encouraging federal leaders to pursue legislation, appropriations, and consent-based siting for spent fuel storage/disposal facilities; mobilizing at key points in the legislative process to advocate for necessary legislation and appropriations; and securing a federally licensed storage or disposal solution for the spent fuel at SONGS and other 06/27/2023 D3 6 of 10
SUBJECT: ADVOCATING FOR THE REMOVAL AND RELOCATION OF SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL FROM THE SAN DIEGO REGION (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Legistar v1.0 4
facilities. Day-to-day activities will be managed by a coalition manager under the direction of the executive board. The coalition manager has been identified as Southwest Strategies, a San Diego- based firm. During FY 2021-2022, the coalition manager will coordinate the following prioritized activities and provide monthly activity reports:
Month Prioritized Activities
July-Sep.
2021
• Conduct outreach to federal decision-makers
• Mobilize to advocate for legislation and appropriations • Identify, network and coordinate efforts with other U.S. facilities and spent fuel advocacy organizations
• Develop coalition materials
• Distribute introductory letters
• Conduct briefings
• Advocate for equity-informed, best-practice-based criteria for confirming community consent
• Expand coalition website
• Launch social media program
• Distribute member email updates
• Seek resolutions of support
• Conduct media outreach
• Participate in speaking engagements
• Hold executive board and advisory council meetings
• Coordinate activities with executive board
• Continue coalition development
Oct. 2021-
June 2022
• Conduct outreach to federal decision-makers
• Mobilize to advocate for legislation and appropriations • Coordinate efforts with other U.S. facilities and spent fuel advocacy organizations
• Update website and materials
• Continue social media program
• Distribute member email updates
• Conduct media outreach
• Hold executive board and advisory council meetings
• Coordinate activities with executive board
• Continue coalition development
Through the combined resources and support of like-minded local governments, non- governmental organizations, and community stakeholders, the Action for Spent Fuels Solutions Now coalition will drive a local, regional, and federal administrative and legislative advocacy campaign to secure the policies and statutory authority necessary to relocate the spent nuclear fuel at SONGS to a federally licensed off-site interim storage facility or permanent geologic repository.
06/27/2023 D3 7 of 10
SUBJECT: ADVOCATING FOR THE REMOVAL AND RELOCATION OF SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL FROM THE SAN DIEGO REGION (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Legistar v1.0 5
Action For Spent Fuel Solutions Now will also have an advisory council to provide the executive board with non-binding recommendations and advice related to coalition strategy and activities.
Membership will include stakeholders representing diverse interests such as environmental non- governmental organizations (NGO), labor unions, industry experts, community leaders and business groups. Organizations and individuals committed to the relocation of spent nuclear fuel at SONGS to a federally licensed off-site, consent-based consolidated interim storage facility or permanent geologic repository may join the coalition as supporting members. These supporting members may include, but are not limited to, local governments, tribal leaders, elected and appointed officials, environmental NGOs, labor unions, business and industry groups, community and civic organizations, educational and scientific institutions, public safety officials and agencies, and residents.
Today’s action will approve a resolution in which the coalition will advocate for the removal and relocation of spent nuclear fuel from the San Diego Region and authorize the Director of the Department of Purchasing and Contracting to enter into single source negotiations with Southwest Strategies to procure management services that support the work of the coalition.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed actions support the Sustainable Environments/Thriving Initiative of the County of San Diego’s 2021-2026 Strategic Plan by advocating for the removal and relocation of spent nuclear fuel in the San Diego region. And for the full restoration of the SONGS property to its natural state for unrestricted use.
Respectfully submitted,
JIM DESMOND TERRA LAWSON-REMER Supervisor, Fifth District Supervisor, Third District
ATTACHMENT(S)
ATTACHMENT A – A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTION FOR SPENT
FUEL SOLUTIONS NOW COALITION
06/27/2023 D3 8 of 10
SUBJECT: ADVOCATING FOR THE REMOVAL AND RELOCATION OF SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL FROM THE SAN DIEGO REGION (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Legistar v1.0 6
AGENDA ITEM INFORMATION SHEET
REQUIRES FOUR VOTES: ☐ Yes ☒ No
WRITTEN DISCLOSURE PER COUNTY CHARTER SECTION 1000.1 REQUIRED ☐ Yes ☒ No
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOARD ACTIONS:
N/A
BOARD POLICIES APPLICABLE:
A-87 Competitive Procurement
BOARD POLICY STATEMENTS:
Pursuant to A-87, Procurement Section 3.A. (Single Source Exceptions to Competitive Procurement), this is a procurement for management services for the Action For Spent Fuel Solutions Now Coalition.
Under Board Policy A-87 3.A, this procurement is under the single source exception to competitive procurement where the “(i) the goods and/or services qualify as Single Source and the purchase of those goods and/or services otherwise complies with the requirements of this Policy and ii) procuring the goods and/or services from a Single Source would be in the County’s best interest.”
Item and Service and Term Period: Southwest Strategies is requesting authority for One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) for a contract term effective September 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022, with one (1) option years and up to an additional six (6) months if needed.
Benefits to the County of San Diego: actions support the Sustainable Environments/Thriving Initiative of the County of San Diego’s 2021-2026 Strategic Plan by advocating for the removal and relocation of spent nuclear fuel in the San Diego region. And for the full restoration of the SONGS property to its natural state for unrestricted use.
Justification: Through the combined resources and support of like-minded local governments, non-governmental organizations, and community stakeholders, the Action for Spent Fuels Solutions Now coalition will drive a local, regional, and federal administrative and legislative advocacy campaign to secure the policies and statutory authority necessary to relocate the spent nuclear fuel at SONGS to a federally licensed off-site interim storage facility or permanent geologic repository.
Determination of Fair and Reasonable Price: EOS has found the cost services to be fair and reasonable by comparing costs of comparable services to other County departments.
06/27/2023 D3 9 of 10
SUBJECT: ADVOCATING FOR THE REMOVAL AND RELOCATION OF SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL FROM THE SAN DIEGO REGION (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Legistar v1.0 7
MANDATORY COMPLIANCE:
N/A
ORACLE AWARD NUMBER(S) AND CONTRACT AND/OR REQUISITION
NUMBER(S):
N/A
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT: Supervisor Jim Desmond and Supervisor Terra Lawson- Remer
OTHER CONCURRENCE(S): N/A
CONTACT PERSON(S):
Kristal Jabara Cody Petterson
Name Name
(619) 531-5555 (619) 531-5533
Phone Phone
[email protected] [email protected] E-mail E-mail
06/27/2023 D3 10 of 10