Subject matter expert, Paul Blanch explains why nuclear waste at the failed San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) is extremely vulnerable to tsunami inundation
San Diego, Calif. (January 15, 2022) – Public Watchdogs, a nonprofit advocacy group, is expressing deep concern for the public’s safety regarding the 3.6 Million pounds of deadly radioactive nuclear waste stored on the beach, 108 feet from the Pacific Ocean, in a USGS designated tsunami inundation zone.
The site houses more than 70 steel-lined silos filled with canisters of deadly nuclear waste that weigh more than 100,000 pounds each. Although today’s tsunami did not represent a safety threat, Public Watchdogs’ analysts have warned that a larger tsunami could breach the seawall and inundate the radioactive nuclear waste dump’s partially below-ground silos with saltwater and mud, which could block the cooling system.
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The waste dump, known as an “ISFSI,” or “Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation” is operated by Southern California Edison, the majority owner of the failed San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), which ceased operation in on January 31, 2012 when it leaked radiation into the surrounding communities.
In February of 2020, Public Watchdogs filed a petition to revoke Southern California Edison’s right to bury its deadly cargo on the beach. According to Public Watchdogs’ subject matter expert, Paul Blanch, who authored the petition: “New information has come forward that the potential for uncontrolled criticality is credible, has never been analyzed, and may have extreme consequences for Southern California.” According to Blanch “The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has refused to address this issue.”
Paul Blanch is located on the East Coast and is available for interviews via Zoom.
For background or to arrange an interview, contact Charles Langley at (858) 752-4600 or Langley@publicwatchdogs.org