Southern California Edison this week updated its latest decommissioning efforts for the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station in southern California.
In its first quarter update, SCE said it has begun to deconstruct reactor pressure vessels that previously stored nuclear fuel and coolant for the plant. There are three parts of the reactor pressure vessels: a reactor head, internal structures and a 9-inch-thick carbon steel reactor vessel shell.
According to the update, the company has removed the reactor head and internal structures. While the reactor vessel shell remains, it is being prepared for disposal. The massive steel structures will be separated into smaller pieces to be packaged and transported for disposal.
In the first quarter, Southern California Edison started taking down the Penetration Building and completed the demolition of the Radwaste Building.
SCE expects to begin demolishing the Fuel Handling Building by the second quarter, according to the update.
Coinciding with its quarter update, SCE released an overview with updated numbers on the decommissioning progress on the California-based nuclear plant.
According to SCE, 46 of the 62 plant buildings have been demolished and 474 million pounds of nuclear waste has been shipped offsite. For the waste, 1,787 cars have transported waste and materials offsite.
Throughout the decommissioning process, 107 million pounds of decommissioning material have been recycled. Along with that, the SONGS Community Engagement Panel held 50 public meetings.
SCE is an Edison International company. The San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station was retired in 2013.
