Calif. Reactors Might Be Retired If Restart Nixed

[bananas]

Source: Associated Press

Costs tied to the long-running shutdown of California's San Onofre nuclear power plant have soared to $553 million, while the majority owner raised the possibility Tuesday of retiring the plant if it can't get one reactor running later this year.

<snip>

SCE has asked federal regulators for permission to restart the Unit 2 reactor and run it at reduced power for a five-month test period, in hopes of stopping vibration blamed for tube damage. Without that approval, Chairman Ted Craver told Wall Street analysts in a conference call that a decision on whether to retire one or both reactors might be made this year.

Carver's disclosure highlighted the growing pressure and uncertainty the company faces as one of California's most important sources of electricity sits idle. When running, the plant's twin reactors can power 1.4 million homes.

<snip>

With questions about whether the plant can restart, mounting costs and who picks up the tab, "there is a practical limit to how much we can absorb of that risk," Craver said.

<snip>

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/costs-calif-nuke-shutdown-550-million-19078080

[aggiesal]

1. UT has a poll on whether you think SONGS should be shut down.

So far Yes is winning. Keep it up! Here's the link to vote:
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/apr/30/nuke-plant-future-uncertain/

[SunSeeker]

3. Thanks, I voted.

The current tally:

Should Edison shut down San Onofre?
Yes 52% (536)
No 47% (488)

Total votes 1024

[bananas]

5. Thanks - I didn't even notice it.

Should Edison shut down San Onofre?
Yes 52% (588)
No 47% (529)
Total votes 1117

[tinrobot]

2. How much solar/wind would $553 million buy?

Just wondering...

[aggiesal]

4. It costs about . . .

$1000 per Solar Panel when I purchased mine about 10 years ago.

I purchased 24 panels, and it produces 2.4 KWh with no loss
which is impractical. It usually generates about 1.8 - 2.0 KWh
on a really sunny day.

Place them in the Southwest, and no doubt, I think it would have
generated more then $550M over the last 16 months.

All new homes built in the Southwest, (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona
and So. Cal) should be mandated to have solar panels placed on
their roofs. Yes I said MANDATED.

[tinrobot]

6. Just checked - the price of solar is now around $1/watt

So $553 million could buy appox. 553MW of solar panels. Approx 70-80% of that would be available as power.

The San Onofre reactors produce 1172MW and 1178MW for a total of 2.35 GW.

You'd need a heck of a lot more than $553m worth of solar to replace that power plant.

[olddad56]

7. So it will cost $553 million to shut it down, what will it cost if we wait until it melts down?

just wondering.