Welcome to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) website for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review of the proposed replacement of steam generators for Units 2 and 3 at Southern California Edison's San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). An application for this project was submitted to the CPUC on February 27, 2004. This site provides access to public documents and information relevant to the CEQA review process.

Background

Southern California Edison Company (SCE) has filed an application with the CPUC to: (1) replace the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station Units 2 and 3 (SONGS 2 & 3) steam generators; (2) establish ratemaking for cost recovery; and (3) address other related steam generator replacement issues. The project would enable SONGS 2 & 3 to remain in service until the end of the current terms of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licenses. The current licenses both authorize SONGS 2 & 3 to operate until 2022. However, the existing steam generators have exhibited degradation and they are currently predicted to reach the end of their operating life within the next several years. The original steam generators will eventually reach a state where, under applicable NRC regulations, either the steam generators must be replaced or the units must be shut down.

SONGS 2 & 3 went into operation in 1983 and 1984, respectively. SONGS 2 & 3 use four steam generators, two per unit, which are large heat exchangers that convert heat from the reactor into steam to drive the turbine generators and produce electricity. All four would be replaced as part of the proposed project. SONGS 2 & 3 produce a combined nominal 2,150 net megawatts of electric power, enough to power approximately 2.1 million homes. The SONGS facility is located in northwest San Diego County and surrounded by Camp Pendleton, San Onofre State Beach, and Interstate 5.

Proponent's Environmental Assessment (PEA)

The February 2004 PEA may be viewed here. It should be noted that there have been a number of data requests and data responses for this project, which have provided additional clarification on project components as well as construction and operation activities. The latest information for this project is provided in the project description in the Draft Environmental Impact Report, Section B.

Notice of Preparation and Project Scoping

The CPUC on October 1, 2004, issued a Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the SONGS Steam Generator Replacement Project. Scoping meetings were held in October 2004.

Draft Environmental Impact Report

The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) was issued on April 15, 2005 and can be viewed here. The Notice of Availability describes the project and the environmental review process.

The CPUC held two Public Workshops to describe the DEIR and its findings and to hear public comments on the DEIR:

The submittal period for written comments on the Draft EIR ended May 31, 2005. Copies of the comments received may be viewed here. Requests for additional information should be sent to: