San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. Photo: Andrea Swayne
By Eric Heinz
House Resolution 3643, which currently awaits reading by committees in the U.S. Congress, would allow for temporary storage of spent nuclear fuel instead of requiring it to be stored at a permanent facility required by current law.
There are facilities that could house the spent fuel instead of requiring it to be stored on-site at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, which has been an issue of contention since the closure of the nuclear facility in 2013.
The resolution was brought forth by Texas Rep. Michael Conway and has support from California Rep. Darrell Issa.
During the San Clemente City Council reports portion at the Jan. 19 meeting, Councilman Tim Brown, who is the vice chairman of the SONGS Community Engagement Panel—a panel Dana Point City Councilman Carlos Olvera also serves on—said the panel has been trying to find an interim solution for the Department of Energy, which has the overall authority of the spent nuclear fuel.
Brown said he would like the San Clemente City Council to put together a resolution of support to write letters to advocate for the passage of the resolution. San Clemente City Councilwoman Lori Donchak said she also sent information to surrounding cities, including Dana Point.