State panel to debate nuclear power

State lawmakers are set Tuesday to discuss whether nuclear power should play a larger part in California's future, but the issue is already creating political fission at the Capitol.
The state Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee will hold a hearing Tuesday morning to hear from experts. Others scheduled to testify include representatives of Southern California Edison, co-owner of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, and PG&E, operator of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant.
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima), chairman of the committee, noted that California already gets 15% of its electricity from nuclear power, although tough restrictions mean no nuclear power plant has been constructed in more than three decades in California.
"Nuclear energy has seemed to have had a resurgence in terms of conversation," Padilla said. "I'm not shy about having that conversation."
Padilla said he is neutral on the issue of whether new nuclear plants should be allowed in California, adding that "a hearing is a first step in responsibly considering that."
However, David Weisman of the Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility complained that the hearing lineup appeared stacked in favor of those who support expanded nuclear power in California and that opposition groups like his own are not on the agenda.
"Essentially what they are doing here is re-creating a private nuclear-industry promotional forum that was held in La Jolla last year," Weisman said of the senate hearing. "It's entirely one-sided." More at:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2010/10/state-panel-to-debate-nuclear-power.html

Related articles

• Iran begins to fuel its nuclear-power plant (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station and Community Emergency Planning Partners to Test Siren System (eon.businesswire.com)
• Tehran takes the first steps towards switching on nuclear power station (independent.co.uk)
• Going Nuclear: Iran Loads Fuel Into Reactor (foxnews.com)
• What are the two sides of the nuclear power debate? (ask.metafilter.com)

NRC workshop turns into Diablo Canyon debate

 Calif. lawmaker calls for seismic studies on Diablo Canyon plant
Roughly 100 people attended a two-day workshop held by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) aimed at educating the public about earthquakes and tsunamis, and how nuclear power facilities are built to hold up against them.

Though the event was supposed to be educational in nature and not address the relicensing issue, recent safety incidents at the plant, or the need for an increase in renewable energy, such familiar arguments crept in to nearly every aspect of the workshop.

NRC representatives stressed that seismic studies and a license renewal are two separate issues.

On Sept. 9, the second day of the workshop, newly elected state Senator Sam Blakeslee, a San Luis Obispo Republican, made a surprise appearance and implored NRC reps to “go beyond a check-the-box approach” to license renewal.

Blakeslee, who authored several pieces of legislation regarding seismic and nuclear safety, emphasized the need for comprehensive seismic studies surrounding Diablo Canyon, what he called “a very momentous issue.”