Layoffs won't begin at San Onofre until nuclear fuel is removed from Unit 2 reactor core

The Capistrano Dispatch has reported that, even though Edison International has announced the permanent shutdown of its San Onofre Generating Station (SONGS) Unit 2 and 3 reactors:

"The plant’s 1,500 person staff will not be cut until its revised emergency preparedness and security plans, for a shutdown plant, are approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Craver said. Currently, the regulatory body views the plant as operational since Unit 2 still houses nuclear fuel."

Of course, as pointed out by Ace Hoffman, longtime San Onofre watchdog, in a Counterpunch article, even though the reactor risks are no more, the high-level radioactive waste risks remain.