Southern California Edison Disappointed by San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant Settlement Ruling
Southern California Edison (SCE) reacted this week to a ruling by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) requiring the company to meet with various groups about possible changes to a 2014 settlement regarding the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS).
SCE owns the majority of the plant, which is in the third year of a 20-year decommissioning plan after a steam generator tube leak in early 2012.
CPUC approved an agreement in 2014, but reports of a behind-doors meeting between SCE and CPUC representatives caused an administrative law judge and the assigned commissioner to open the settlement discussion back up.
According to the ruling, SCE and San Diego Gas & Electric, which owns 20 percent of the plant, must meet with the Office of Ratepayers Advocates and the Utility Reform Network by Jan. 31, 2017 and reach an agreement by April 28.
These groups have expressed concerns that the 2014 settlement places too much of the decommissioning burden on ratepayers.
“The CPUC must ensure the integrity of its processes and that its decisions serve the public interest,” said CPUC Commissioner Catherine J.K. Sandoval.
SCE said that it still believes the 2014 settlement was fair and reduced the amount customers pay in monthly bills. SCE plans to provide refunds and rate reductions of almost $1.6 billion under the settlement, and that amount may rise by recoveries from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the supplier of the defective steam generators.
SCE expressed concerns over the effects of a renegotiation.
Although unhappy with the ruling, SCE has said it will follow the decision’s directives.
