As the Nuclear Regulatory Commission studies a restart plan for the beleaguered San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, a state regulator is expected to launch its own investigation.
The California Public Utilities Commission, which usually meets in San Francisco, will meet in Irvine City Hall Thursday and is set to vote on starting an investigation into whether it's worth the cost to ratepayers to keep San Onofre running or whether Southern California Edison owes them money.
According to the CPUC agenda for Oct. 25:
Pursuant to the provisions of Public Utilities Code Section 455.5, the Commission opens this investigation to consolidate and consider issues raised by the extended outage of units 2 and 3 of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. The Commission may issue orders based on this investigation to address ratemaking and other matters under our jurisdiction.
Local environmental groups San Clemente Green and Residents Organized for a Safe Environment will be at the meeting voicing their support for the investigation.
San Onofre was shuttered in January after a small leak of radioactive steam revealed that the plant's steam generators were riddled with bum components. The steam generators, replaced only a few years ago for nearly $700 million, were plagued by design flaws and fabrication errors.
Edison plans to restart Unit 2 at partial power for a short cycle, but that plan is still under review for safety by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
The CPUC meeting starts at 9 a.m. Oct. 25 at Irvine City Hall, 1 Civic Center Plaza in Irvine.
