"San Onofre is a disaster waiting to happen..."
Edward Maibach, PhD., Professor, George Mason University
Featured News
Over 8 Million Californians Live Within 50 Mi. Of Stored Radioactive Waste
There are over 3 million pounds of nuclear waste stored just 100 feet away from a beach at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. Congressman Mike Levin (D-CA), who represents San Onofre, joins Lawrence O’Donnell to discuss the environmental and human impact the radioactive waste has on the millions of people who live nearby.
3.6 million pounds of hazardous nuclear waste sits at the San Onofre State Beach, precariously close to the Pacific Ocean, just 100 feet from the shoreline.
This presents a significant environmental health and public safety risk, especially for the 9 million people living within a 50-mile radius of the site. The waste is stored in thin-walled canisters, only 5/8 of an inch thick, which are vulnerable to corrosion and cracking within 20 years. These canisters are exposed to a range of threats, including salt air corrosion, rising sea levels, earthquakes, tsunamis, and even potential terrorist attacks.
Mapping tool created by Theodore Capinski.
Inspection Activities
Decommissioning Lessons Learned Workshop
January 15, 2025 | Elise Eve, Team Leader, USNRC Region
Radiation Protection
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Failure to control airborne radioactivity
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Failure to implement adequate controls in alpha level 3A areas
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Unauthorized access to locked high radiation areas
Transportation
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Failure to ensure shipment was leakproof
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Failure to ensure packaging was appropriate for the contents being shipped Radioactive material shipment package dose rate exceeded
Fire Protection
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Failure to control fire hazards with transient combustible permit
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Failure to include fire dampers in fire protection program evaluation and fire pre-plans
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Failure to perform fire watch duties with trained personnel
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Failure to implement fire protection system impairment control procedure
Clear Solutions
Monitor
Install most sensitive radiation and leak detection technology, from University of California San Diego
Hot Cell
Construct an on-site handling facility to repair and replace the thin metal canisters
Move
Move nuclear waste off the beach. San Onofre is geologically unstable with earthquakes faults, tsunami potential and wildfires
