ML13134A041
| ML13134A041 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | San Onofre  |
| Issue date: | 05/10/2013 |
| From: | Adelman D, Waldman S Valley Industry & Commerce Association |
| To: | Cindy Bladey Rules, Announcements, and Directives Branch |
| References | |
| 78FR22576 00066, NRC-2013-0070 | |
| Download: ML13134A041 (2) | |
Text
MAY/1I/2O13/FRI 10:20 AM FAX No, P. 001/002 201 May 10, 2013 VICA rn Fn FTý UF CD co C-11 CDj FriCf)
Cindy Bladey Chief, Rules, Announcements, and Directives Branch U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
SUBJECT:
RE Docket ID NRC-2013-0070 San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS)
Dear Chief Bladey:
On behalf of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA), we support Southern California Edison's License Amendment Request, and the restart and operation of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Unit 2. VICA represents more than 380 businesses in Los Angeles that have created over 100,000 jobs.
California relies on nuclear energy for one-fifth of the state's electricity. Since its construction in 1968, SONGS has produced more than 350 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity - exceeding all other individual power sources in the region. With growing electricity demand and increasing state and federal environmental standards, Southern California businesses need clean, reliable and efficient electricity like never before.
When operating, SONGS provides for about 10 percent of the peak daily electricity usage in our region. It also delivers "voltage support" that allows the grid to maintain electricity when other sources of power fail or are inadequate to serve the network. This reliability is necessary for commercial stability, and cannot be duplicated by other clean energy sources that rely on natural phenomenon, such as solar stations and wind farms.
Also of importance, SONGS helps California and the country to become energy independent - a central concept among VICA's Guiding Principles. Uranium is an abundant, predictable and secure fuel source and its use is among the safest for energy production. The uranium enrichment process for energy production increases the radioactive content to between 3 and 4 percent, well below the 90 percent enrichment needed to be weapons grade. This abundant, assured fuel supply means steadier customer rates for businesses.
The environmental benefits of uranium are indisputable. Unlike fossil fuel plants, nuclear plants do not burn their fuel and therefore produce virtually no air emissions. SONGS alone has helped to avoid 100,000 metric tons of pollutants and 180 million metric tons of carbon emissions from being released into our atmosphere.
The California economy is facing a tough, uphill climb out of the recession, and businesses are increasingly leaving California in search of lower costs. If SONGS remains offline, Southern California Edison will need to consider a combination of other generation resources and construction of transmission lines throughout the Los Angeles Basin. This process will require 5121 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite 208, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 TeL 818.817-0545 Fax. 818.907-7934 http://www.vica.com Ec 04I C C).0 I M Eo D,
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MAY/10/2013/FRI 10:20 AM FAX No, P. 002/002 costly multi-year regulatory reviews for new construction, equating to higher costs for commercial customers.
We encourage the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to conduct an expeditious and careful review in accordance with established, fact-based regulatory process. In order to meet our clean energy needs, we must stick to the technical analysis and keep fear out of energy policy by ensuring that the process is not derailed or delayed by politics and special interests.
Our region's business community simply cannot afford network unreliability and higher emissions. SONGS must be approved to resume operation.
Sincerely, David Adelman Chair CC:
Senator Barbara Boxer Senator Dianne Feinstein Congressman Darrell Issa Stuart Waldman President 5121 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite 208, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 TeL 818.817-0545 Fax. 818.907-7934 http:l/www.vica.com