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Offline Nuclear Plant Squeezes Energy Access In Calif.
Offline Nuclear Plant Squeezes Energy Access In Calif.
One of California's two nuclear power plants has been closed since the discovery of a radioactive leak in late January. With summer here — and increased energy use with it — the state is bracing for the possibility of rolling blackouts in San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange County. L.A. Times reporter Abby Sewell talks with Melissa Block about what's being done to stave off an energy calamity.
MELISSA BLOCK, HOST: One power plant in particular is on the minds of many here in Southern California. It's the San Onofre nuclear plant, roughly 60 miles south of Los Angeles. The plant was shut down back in January because of a leak that released a small amount of radioactive steam. It's been off-line ever since. And this week, nuclear regulators called what led to the leak, a significant, serious safety issue.
With San Onofre out of commission, officials are scrambling to find alternative sources of energy to keep from plunging Southern California into a summer of rolling blackouts. For more, I'm joined by Abby Sewell. She's been covering the story for the Los Angeles Times. And, Abby, let's start with the leak. I gather that tubes carrying radioactive water were vibrating excessively that led to the leak. What happened? What led up to this?
ABBY SEWELL: That's correct. Southern California Edison, the operator of the plant, had, within the last couple of years, replaced the steam generators, which are these massive pieces of equipment that have thousands of tubes carrying this radioactive water....
One of California's two nuclear power plants has been closed since the discovery of a radioactive leak in late January. With summer here — and increased energy use with it — the state is bracing for the possibility of rolling blackouts in San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange County. L.A. Times reporter Abby Sewell talks with Melissa Block about what's being done to stave off an energy calamity.
MELISSA BLOCK, HOST: One power plant in particular is on the minds of many here in Southern California. It's the San Onofre nuclear plant, roughly 60 miles south of Los Angeles. The plant was shut down back in January because of a leak that released a small amount of radioactive steam. It's been off-line ever since. And this week, nuclear regulators called what led to the leak, a significant, serious safety issue.
With San Onofre out of commission, officials are scrambling to find alternative sources of energy to keep from plunging Southern California into a summer of rolling blackouts. For more, I'm joined by Abby Sewell. She's been covering the story for the Los Angeles Times. And, Abby, let's start with the leak. I gather that tubes carrying radioactive water were vibrating excessively that led to the leak. What happened? What led up to this?
ABBY SEWELL: That's correct. Southern California Edison, the operator of the plant, had, within the last couple of years, replaced the steam generators, which are these massive pieces of equipment that have thousands of tubes carrying this radioactive water....
http://www.npr.org/2012/06/20/155454750/offline-nuclear-plant-squeezes-energy-access-in-calif
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