The State : Bids Taken for Rancho Seco

The utility that operates the Rancho Seco nuclear plant is taking bids for a takeover of the power station that voters decided to close. The decision by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District to take bids angered many of the activists who have fought for years to shut down the plant, which has a history of operating problems. The board majority argued that the ballot measure in which the electorate decided to close the plant does not forbid someone else from running it. The sale of Rancho Seco would save the community the $200-million to $300-million cost of shutting it down, said Joseph Buonaiuto, board president. Voters had decided in a non-binding referendum to close the plant, agreeing with opponents’ arguments that it is unsafe and uneconomical, and a majority of the utility board agreed to abide by the outcome. The plant was taken out of service and so far about 400 contract workers have lost their jobs. The vote marked the first time citizens have decided to close an operating reactor.