Synopsis: PG&E, owner of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, is required under state law to conduct ocean floor studies of the potential for earthquakes near the nuclear plant, but fishermen are alarmed that the tests may destroy the marine life from Cambria to Avila Beach and could wipe out their livelihood for an indefinite period. The tests face many unresolved obstacles.
An old Japanese saying is "Onko-chishin" or "Learn a lesson from the past." (In Japan, the past includes the March 11 Fukushiima Daiichi tsunami and earthquake nuclear disaster that killed more than 15,000, left more than 5,000 missing with nearly 6,000 injured. Can Americans learn from Japan's past?)
PG&E is moving toward conducting extremely controversial and yet-to-be-approved ocean seismic studies next year of known and possibly unknown earthquake faults at or near the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant and the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) under state legislation adopted in 2006, aimed at assessing the "potential vulnerability of a large baseload plant . . . to a major disruption from a seismic event or plant aging."
PG&E has predicted the ocean floor studies would begin in September, 2012, and conclude three months later. But government permits yet to be approved, Environmental Impact Report studies yet to be conducted, potentially-enormous costs that PG&E ratepayers may be required to pay for the studies and for compensating fishermen for their lossses, and staunch opposition of fishermen in the area who fear the marine life they depend on for their livelihoods will be destroyed—all pose major obstacles that have yet to be overcome.
"Important data on Diablo Canyon’s seismic hazards and vulnerabilities are incomplete or outdated," a multi-disciplinary research team led by MRW & Associates concluded in a 2008 report to state agencies, which grew out of the legislation (AB 1632). "Recent studies indicate ground motion near a fault could be stronger and more variable than previously thought."
Coincidentally, the U.S. Geological Survey in 2008 discovered what was named the Shoreline Fault, which is said to run along the tip of Point Buchon, just a few hundred feet from the Diablo Canyon plant. A federal seismologist who discovered the Shoreline Fault said it is logical to assume it is connected with the nearby Hosgri fault. And if they did act together, that could put a magnitude 7.2 earthquake almost right below the plant, the seismologist said.
The underwater seismic tests would be conducted from Cambria to Avila Beach with large vessels dragging cables along the ocean floor behind them in a 300-foot-wide swath down to 1400 feet below the ocean surface, fishermen say PG&E has told them. Fishermen also say PG&E said the studies would go on for five months. "It would be like a race track and become a nightmare," one fisherman who is deeply involved in the issue said.
"It would kill all larvae and disperse rock fish for an unknown amount of time," he said.
Another major concern cited in the MRW report states that "spent fuel pools at Diablo Canyon and SONGS have been 'reracked' to increase storage capacity by placing spent fuel assemblies closer (together). Loss-of-coolant event from an earthquake or a terrorist attack in a re-racked pool could cause radiation releases and contamination."
More broadly, the bill requires the California Energy Commission to "assess other key policy and planning issues that will affect the future role of nuclear power plants in the state." So the whole role of nuclear power in California is under systematic review resulting from the legislation.
AB 1632 was authored by then Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee (now state senator from the 15th district, which covers San Luis Obispo County). His office declined to comment on or provide additional information about the bill or its implementation, which is now in progress.
Despite the legislative mandate for the seismic studies, there seems to be little or no certainty when they will be conducted—or actually even if they will, given the growing opposition of local fishermen's associations and the potential environmental impacts, virtually all marine, that will have to be curbed or mitigated under state Environmental Impact Report requirements.
Two fishermen's associations—Morro Bay and Port San Luis Commercial Fishermen's Associations—are estimating fisheries will be at least temporarily "destroyed," which will require the mitigation of fishermen's loss of income in the millions. PG&E reportedly has already been allowed to charge ratepayers $64.25 million for the studies by the California Public Utilities Commission. But fishermen expect PG&E will require a great deal more in order to compensate them for their fishery losses. Presumably those millions would come from ratepayers, if the Public Utilities Commission is of such a mind.
Also being conducted by PG&E are onshore studies that reportedly began last September 21 and, PG&E says, will be completed in two phases by December, 2011. The tests have been conducted along the Los Osos Valley and in the Irish Hills, PG&E said.
Here is the way PG&E describes these onshore studies:
"The technology used to image the subsurface geological strata utilizes specialized seismic trucks (Vibroseis and Accelerated Weight Drop trucks) to input sound energy waves into the ground. The sound waves are very subtle, but can penetrate deep into the earth. The sound waves are reflected from various sub-surface features back to the earth’s surface. The reflections are detected by specialized recording devices (cabled geophones and wireless nodes) that are placed on the ground. The recorded data is downloaded and processed by highly sophisticated computer programs that generate two- and three-dimensional images of the earth’s crust.
"The recording devices are typically placed in landscape areas along public streets. Where nodes are placed in a public right-of-way, an encroachment permit is obtained from the public agency. Some nodes will be placed on private property with the owner’s permission. To install the nodes, 6-inch diameter holes are drilled approximately 8 inches deep. The nodes are then placed in the holes and covered with soil and/or grass. When the nodes are removed, landscape and/ or grass will be restored. The nodes are removed to charge their batteries every two weeks and will remain in place for the duration of the survey."
PG&E has said its plans to conduct all of the studies have faced delays. In October, PG&E informed the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that it "has increased the scope of the 3D offshore studies and the 2D onshore studies in response to increased public concern and interest in seismic safety post-Fukushima, suggestions from the Independent Peer Review Panel established by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), and public comments by the United States Geological Survey about regional faulting near DCPP (Diablo Canyon Power Plant). As the scope of the seismic studies has increased, the amount of time required to collect and process seismic data also has increased."
As of a few weeks ago, the State Lands Commission reported that PG&E has not submitted an application for authorization to conduct what it calls the Ocean Bottom Seismometer (OBS) project.
At a November 23 meeting with PG&E, a prominent Morro Bay fisherman reported this:
"PG&E says tests are not going to do any damage. Fisheries will be okay a few days after tests are finished. It claimed that the most all fishers would make in this area is $600,000 from September to December, 2012, when the tests are planned. Actually that is more accurate for an individual fisher, not collectively. PG&E told us, 'You have no choice." We will give you $50,000 to $80,000 a month individually (during the testing period) for four months. About $600,000 in total for all of us, 170 fishermen. That is not in line with our data."
The fishermen's fears are summed up in a letter to PG&E from Tom D. Hafer, who identified himself as one of the representatives for the fishermen of Morro Bay. He sent it after PG&E met with fishermen to discuss their objections to the seismic tests on November 1.
"We feel these studies do not replicate the duration and intensity of exposure that your project is planning. We have sincere concern that this will cause damage to the local ecosystem and economy, both temporarily and long term. This study is being done in a marine environment rich with sea life, from the small baitfish to the migrating whales, and supports several commercial fisheries. This study is close to shore where many species lay their eggs and juvenile fish grow. We do not see how intense pounding of up to 250dBs, every 63 seconds, every 123 feet for four months or longer can have a minimal effect.
"Your studies seemed to be biased towards the conclusion that there is only a 'temporary effect' and 'only in the area a few meters under the air guns.' We found publications to the contrary. We found a study done off the coast of Angola (ref# LMF-CF-03-12) that showed a large decline in the abundance of sardinella several years after seismic testing. Also, a study on Atlantic Cod (Engas et al, 1993) showed reduced catches over 20 miles away during the seismic operations and continuing five days after. And more importantly, local research of state Department of Fish and Game after seismic surveys done off Pt. Conception and the Channel Islands in the 80's, found a decline in commercial catches of rockfish for the next five years.
"The larvae impact to our fisheries is unknown. The studies used from the Diablo (Canyon Power Plant) intake do not describe the spawning habits for the individual species of the entire project area. The species from commercial fisheries are the ones we are mitigating and many of these do not just spawn in spring. There are species that carry eggs all year, such as spot prawns, and there are fish that lay eggs at different times of the year, such as cabezon, kelp bass, bolina rockfish, gopher rockfish, ling cod, sablefish and others. Also, these studies do not take into account the "stress factor." Fish tend to release their eggs when they perceive a threat or undergo stress. Many of the near-shore fish have a strong homing instinct and do not like to move more than .25 of a mile their entire life (a collaborative tagging study by Cal Poly determined this). This makes them more vulnerable to high stress.
"The effect on juvenile rockfish is also unknown. In a study on the habitat of juvenile rockfish (Schlosser et al 2006), the most highly utilized habitat of juvenile rockfish in our region was in the sand outside the reefs where the seismic surveys will be conducted. The widespread effect on adult fish and catch rates is unknown. Adult fish behavior changes may affect mating, spawning, nesting and the general health of the population for generations. We will not know unless an effort is made to evaluate the region after the seismic survey is done. Mitigation for research should also be included.
"We feel that there are several logical reasons to believe that this study could have a substantial effect on the local ecosystem and economy. We are amazed that you will even be able to get permits for the project with all the Federal and State protections including the Marine Life Protection Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Rockfish Conservation Area and the Federally mandated 'Essential Fish Habitat.' But if somehow you get past these, we feel we will have to require substantial mitigation funds to offset the inevitable costs to our livelihoods as a direct result of this project. We think the 'reimbursement formula' should be equal to the yearly gross income for the local fishermen that have fished directly in and around the 'racetrack' and multiplied by at least 3-5 years or more. We feel that PG&E should be responsible for establishing a "Fishermen Mitigation Liaison" office where the fishermen can make an appointment to go over their history of fishing and establish their fair and equitable reimbursement. Many people who rely on the fishing industry will also be affected. There should also be mitigation that includes a 'fishing infrastructure fund.'
Fishermen say they are scheduled to meet with PG&E again during the first week of December, 2011.
