Senator Padilla Announces Committee Hearing Exploring Safety at California’s Nuclear Power

There are four active faults within 5 kilometers of Pacific Gas'n Electric's Diablo Canyon Nuclear power plant, one 1800 feet away.

Sacramento –- In light of the disaster unfolding at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan, State Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) today called for a California Senate Energy, Utilities and Communication Committee hearing focusing on the safety of California’s coastal nuclear power plants at San Onofre and Diablo Canyon. The hearing will explore a broad range of issues including the adequacy of current seismic risk assumptions, safety system redundancy, the continued accumulation of spent fuel, and other disaster preparedness and response requirements at California’s operating nuclear power plants.  The committee will hear testimony from seismologists, nuclear power plant owners and operators, and representatives from appropriate federal and state regulatory agencies. The hearing will be held on Thursday, April 14th, 2011 at the State Capitol in Sacramento. “My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Japan at this difficult time,” said Senator Padilla. “This tragedy demonstrates the importance and urgency of examining the assumptions and risks inherent in the two nuclear power plants operating in California,” he added. The hearing will explore a broad range of issues including the adequacy of current seismic risk assumptions, safety system redundancy, the continued accumulation of spent fuel, and other disaster preparedness and response requirements at California’s operating nuclear power plants. The committee will hear testimony from seismologists, nuclear power plant owners and operators, and representatives from appropriate federal and state regulatory agencies. The hearing will be held on Thursday, April 14th, 2011 at the State Capitol in Sacramento. “My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Japan at this difficult time,” said Senator Padilla. “This tragedy demonstrates the importance and urgency of examining the assumptions and risks inherent in the two nuclear power plants operating in California,” he added.