Rep. Mike Levin Advances over $100 Million to Address Spent Nuclear Fuel Nationwide, Including at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station
Washington, D.C.—Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) advanced over $100 million to address spent nuclear fuel across the country, including at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), in the government funding package that passed the House and Senate. The legislation now heads to the President’s desk for signature.
The funds will be used to develop the infrastructure needed to safely transport and manage waste, work with communities to identify a suitable new site, and support research into improved long-term management of spent nuclear fuel. At SONGS alone, about 3.55 million pounds of waste is stored in dozens of canisters that need to be relocated.
“This money keeps up our momentum as we move towards a solution for San Onofre. Spent nuclear fuel scattered across our country, and specifically in my district at San Onofre, creates real risk for nearby communities,” said Rep. Levin. “For decades, this waste has been left in unsuitable and temporary conditions that were never intended to be a long-term solution. We cannot waste any more time. These funds must be used to continue to develop a solution for San Onofre as quickly as possible, and I look forward to the final passage of the government funding package that includes these resources.”
“This funding is just the next step in our efforts. In the long term, we need significantly more investment and a clear national strategy to ensure that spent nuclear fuel is stored and disposed of safely and responsibly. The current situation at San Onofre is inadequate as a long-term solution,” continued Rep. Levin.
This investment builds on over $148 million Rep. Levin previously secured for the safe removal and management of the nation’s spent nuclear fuel. This brings the total funding he has secured for managing spent nuclear fuel to over $248 million. Rep. Levin has also introduced the bipartisan Nuclear Waste Administration Act of 2024, which would modernize our country’s nuclear waste management program by establishing an independent Nuclear Waste Administration to manage the country’s nuclear waste.
Since entering Congress in 2019, Rep. Levin has secured more than $1 billion in federal funding for the 49th District. The package that includes these funds for spent nuclear fuel now heads to the Senate, where it is expected to pass. It will then need to be signed by the President.
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