Radiation Control Down : San Onofre Nuclear Plant Receives Improved Rating

A recent federal report said the San Onofre nuclear power plant posted improvements in overall operation between 1986 and 1987, but declined significantly in radiological controls.

Officials of Southern California Edison, the utility that operates the plant just south of San Clemente, said they were pleased with the report.

“We’re quite happy,” David Barron, a spokesman for the firm, said Friday. “It’s a good report overall.”

Produced by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the report covers a 16-month period from June 1, 1986, through Sept. 30, 1987. The review is part of an ongoing effort to monitor the performance of nuclear plants in the United States on a regular basis.

The decline in the control of radiation at the plant stems largely from three episodes in which workers left the plant with tiny but highly radioactive particles unknowingly stuck to their clothing. The plant was fined $100,000 by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for failing to detect the particles on the workers before they left the plant.

Edison officials say they recently enacted a program that should control problems with the particles, which are a byproduct of the nuclear processes that occur at the plant.

The decline in radiation control marks something of a comedown for the utility. During a previous study by the NRC, the San Onofre plant was given the highest rating for radiation safety.

Despite the poorer showing on radiation control, the plant scored better overall due to improvements in three of the 12 categories that were judged.

The plant posted improvements in emergency preparedness, training and general plant operation. Declines were recorded in radiological controls and fire protection. In each of the other categories, the plant scored the same results as in previous studies.