PG&E Cuts Back its Seismic Testing in Face of Protests
Summary: In the wake of public concerns and opposition to its planned seismic testing along the local Central Coast, PG&E suddenly announced it plans to reduce the testing to only 12 days and starting in late November, not November 1 as originally planned. The move by PG&E also came just a few days after a new anti-seismic testing organization, C.O.A.S.T., was formed in Morro Bay.
PG&E on Thursday unexpectedly cancelled its plans to launch its much-debated and highly-criticized seismic testing project in waters along the local Central Coast. The tests were scheduled for November 1. The cancellation came after "concerns about the high-energy seismic survey" and "the seismic nature of our region" emerged and after formation last Monday, September 24, of a new organization called C.O.A.S.T. "in opposition to Pacific Gas & Electric's Central Coast Seismic Imaging Project to survey the fault lines around and under the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant in Avila Beach."
Instead of starting on November 1, PG&E now says it plans to start the testing in late November, to run through December on a much smaller scale — lasting only approximately 12 days — which is still subject to approval of a number of state and federal agencies.
The California Coastal Commission had been scheduled to consider authorizing the PG&E seismic studies at its October 10-12 meeting in Oceanside but now has postponed that hearing and will consider approving testing within a small section of Estero Bay at its November 14-16 meeting in Santa Monica. At that meeting, PG&E is expected to present a detailed description of this new proposal on Monday, October 1, and will post it on the Commission's website immediately, likely here: Coastal CA - Seismic Survey.
The Commission has the power to block the testing by denying the plan a Coastal Development Permit (CDP).
C.O.A.S.T., founded by Mandy Davis and Mark Tognazzini, stands for Citizens Opposing Acoustic Seismic Testing and was "formed to fight PG&E Central Coast Seismic Test." (See: C.O.A.S.T Alliance Formed to Fight PG&E Central Coast Seismic Test)
"Backed by broad local and regional support, the C.O.A.S.T Alliance has formed in Morro Bay, California, in opposition to Pacific Gas & Electric's Central Coast Seismic Imaging Project to survey the fault lines around and under the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant in Avila Beach, set to start November 1," its founding statement says "According to the group's mission statement, 'The C.O.A.S.T (Citizens Opposing Acoustic Seismic Testing) Alliance, a diverse coalition of individuals, associations and government and non- government organizations is unified in the goal of ending any efforts to permit and undergo high-intensity acoustic seismic testing by PG&E in the regions surrounding the Diablo Canyon Power Plant on the central coast of California."
In a press release, PG&E said in order "to address community and regulator feedback regarding its proposed high-energy offshore seismic study near the Diablo Canyon Power (Nuclear) Plant," PG&E plans to "submit a modified survey proposal to the California Coastal Commission for consideration during its November meeting."
PG&E "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, PG&E said, to confirm the technology selected for the seismic research is appropriate to 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 said recent findings by state and 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. (Others contend that the environmental impacts and loss of aquatic life will be much more severe and longer-lasting.)
To limit potential impacts to marine life, PG&E said it 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, PG&E said.
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, it said.
