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PG&E to submit modified Seismic study proposal to California Coastal Commission
September 27, 2012
Avila Beach, Calif. - To address community and regulator feedback regarding its proposed high-energy offshore seismic study near the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) today announced it will submit a modified survey proposal to the California Coastal Commission for consideration during its November meeting.
Under PG&E's revised proposal, the utility will seek approval to conduct limited research in late November through December of this year, focusing on studying only one of the three proposed survey areas located near Diablo Canyon.
The proposal has two main purposes -- to confirm the technology selected for the seismic research is appropriate and ensure the many marine life monitoring and protection measures the utility developed in coordination with various stakeholders and regulatory agencies are effective.
"We understand that members of the San Luis Obispo community and other stakeholders have concerns about the high-energy seismic survey called for by the state and proposed by PG&E to begin this November," said Jearl Strickland, PG&E’s Director of Nuclear Projects. "We also understand people are concerned about the seismic nature of our region and they want to see this research performed."
"PG&E is committed to conducting all of our seismic research safely and in a manner that respects community and environmental values. We appreciate the public and regulator input we have received and continue to work collaboratively to find a balanced solution," said Strickland.
The survey is expected to last approximately 12 days and will focus on studying portions of the Hosgri, Los Osos and Shoreline fault zones in the region of Estero Bay. The survey will not overlap into the Point Buchon Marine Protected Area.
PG&E’s advanced seismic research was called for by the state and includes the use of on-shore and off-shore low and high-energy seismic studies, as well as the installation of ocean-bottom sensors to detect seismic activity. The data will provide a more accurate and detailed picture of the region’s complex geology, and will help further define the level of seismic activity faults in the region of Diablo Canyon are capable of producing. PG&E will use this data to support its ongoing seismic safety program work that continually assesses and validates the seismic design of the facility.
Recent findings by federal agencies have determined that the environmental impact of the proposed research may result in a temporary displacement of marine mammals and fish in the survey areas. Those findings are supported by similar projects around the world, which have not identified adverse, long-term impacts to marine life.
To limit potential impacts to marine life, PG&E will implement numerous mitigation and monitoring programs before, during and after the survey period, which includes the use of trained species observers, aerial surveys and establishing marine mammal protection zones. The work will be continually monitored by the National Marine Fisheries Service, California Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other state and federal agencies.
After completing the modified survey this year, a thorough review of the results and the mitigation and monitoring programs will be conducted to help shape the remaining survey.
Diablo Canyon Power Plant is a nuclear power facility owned and operated by PG&E. Its two units together produce approximately 2,300 net megawatts of greenhouse-gas-free electricity, about 10 percent of all electricity generated in California, and enough energy to meet the needs of more than three million Northern and Central Californians.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation's cleanest energy to 15 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit http://www.pge.com/about/newsroom/ and www.pgecurrents.com.