California senators mull over nuclear power plant safety

Senators from California have raised questions about the ability of nuclear power plants in the state, to withstand major natural disasters like the earth quake that had hit Japan recently.

The senators expressed concerns during a hearing on Monday, to re-license these plants.

Many of them wanted the companies to wait till the detailed seismic map, portraying the true picture of risks posed by earthquake and tsunami is complete.

Company applies for renewal of its license
The Pacific Gas and Electric Co. has applied for the renewal of its license, to operate the two plants at Diablo Canyon Power Plant, San Luis, Obispo.

The lawmakers also questioned if the utilities are delaying the three-dimensional seismic study required by a State report, to assess the risks of offshore faults.

Senator Sam Blakeslee, who is a geophysicist and a persistent critique of the Diablo Canyon plant said, “I would ask sincerely that PG&E suspend or withdraw that application,” till the seismic mapping is complete.

The company’s license expires in 2024 and 2025.

On the other hand, Seismic Expert of the PG&E, Lloyd Cluff said that the work started on shallow mapping and they will apply for deep mapping, going up to 10 kilometers below the surface, in April.

Reiterating his company’s commitment, Cluff said, “We’re doing it as we speak.”

Utilities reaffirm safety doubted by critiques
The experts have been expressing concerns regarding the safety of these plants. Daniel Hirsch, a nuclear policy lecturer at the University of California said that California reactors are situated in the most seismically active areas of the world, after Japan.

“What’s going on in Japan could happen here,” said Daniel.

California gets nearly 12 percent of its power supply from Diablo Canyon and San Onofre nuclear power plants.

Steve David, director, site services at the Diablo Canyon said that Japan’s plants were not designed to tackle the tremors and waves of that level, which they had to face earlier this month.

David said, “We’ve gone back this week and verified that (safety) equipment is in place and that the operators have been trained.”