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Last week’s higher-than-normal ‘King Tides’ bring renewed attention from scientists, environmentalists, academics, watchdog groups, and local lawmakers to the increasing dangers of Southern California Edison’s (SCE) 3.6 million pounds of deadly radioactive waste at the decommissioned San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), San Clemente, CA. This deadly nuclear waste is buried in thin metal canisters in a corrosive marine environment, 100 feet away from crashing waves. Many groups are sounding the alarm that this waste must be moved away from the beach. This is a disaster waiting to happen near densely populated cities, busy transportation corridors, and soldiers at Camp Pendleton Marine Base.
Bart Ziegler, PhD in Toxicology and Founder of the Samuel Lawrence Foundation, says, “The radioactive elements stored in these metal canisters are deadly for 100,000 years, or more. We can’t afford to wait until one of the 124 canisters at San Onofre corrodes, or leaks. One canister holds as much radiation as a Chernobyl catastrophe. A disaster could trigger an evacuation of 9 million people living within a 50-mile radius of SONGS.”
Gary Headrick, Founder of San Clemente Green, says, “Since the Nuclear Waste Policy Act was implemented in 1982, the Federal Government has been promising to create a safe ‘deep geologic’ repository, where the toxic waste can be transported, placed, and stored for eternity. In over 40 years, the Federal Government has failed to come up with a plan to solve this deadly problem of nuclear waste, which could easily impact future generations of Southern Californians, as well as residents living near any of the other 93 nuclear reactors at 54 commercially operating power plants across the country.”
A group of concerned citizens with photographers traveled to San Onofre on January 11, 2024, as the highest ‘King Tide’ of the year peaked at 7 feet, early in the morning. Photos show waves crashing over the ‘tsunami’ seawall in front of the decommissioning plant. The Coalition for Nuclear Safety (CNS) will hold a public safety presentation in San Clemente for residents to hear firsthand from scientists and environmentalists.
March 12, Tuesday, 6:00 – 6:30pm at the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club, the Solana Beach Rotary Club presents Peter Anderson, PhD, on nuclear waste issues at San Onofre. Peter helped write the Sierra Club’s national policy on nuclear waste.
March 14, Thursday, 7:00 - 8:30pm in the Board Room of the Del Mar Fairgrounds, CNS will be doing a presentation on SONGS, open to the public. Presenters include CNS member, Gary Headrick of San Clemente Green, Nina Babiarz and Charles Langley of Public Watchdogs.
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