Regulators Vote for Financial Probe of San Onofre
Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 | Updated 12:12 PM PDT
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SAN CLEMENTE, CA - MARCH 15: The San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station is seen from the beach along San Onofre State Beach on March 15, 2012 south of San Clemente, California. Three steam generator tubes in Unit 3 of the nuclear reaction facility failed pressure stress tests by Southern California Edison (SCE), prompting the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to begin assembling a team of nuclear energy inspection experts who will try to determine why the level of wear on the tubes is unusually high. The unit has been shut down since the detection of a leak in one of the steam generator tubes on January 31. Unit 2 is also off line, for routine inspections, and Unit 1 has been decommissioned. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
The California Public Utilities Commission has voted to open a financial probe into rising costs tied to the damaged San Onofre nuclear power plant, which has been shut down for most of the year.
The five-member commission's vote Thursday was unanimous.
So far, the bill has reached at least $165 million for repairs, inspection and replacement electricity. The twin-reactor plant hasn't produced power since Jan. 31 due to crippled steam generators.
It's not clear when, or if, the reactors will return to service.
The commission determines how much utilities can charge homeowners and businesses for electricity.
The plant is owned by Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric and the city of Riverside.
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