Residents speak to Oceanside leaders about San Onofre nuclear power plant

OCEANSIDE — About 10 people urged the Oceanside City Council on Wednesday to place on a future meeting agenda a discussion on the nuclear power plant in San Onofre. Several dozen more sat in the audience, supporting the speakers' message.

As the northernmost coastal San Diego County city, it could be one of the most susceptible to problems at the power plant, speakers said.

“Oceanside is subject to one of the most severe risks in terms of safety right up the coast,” said Vista resident Ray Lutz. “(The council should) take a strong position to make sure this plant is safe.”

The power plant has been shuttered since Jan. 31 because of a small radiation leak and signs of degradation of tubing within steam generators, which serve as one barrier to radiation. The plant will likely remain sidelined through August.

Speakers used the portion of the City Council meeting reserved for the public to talk to the governing body about whatever they’d like. Many cited the nuclear plant’s proximity to earthquake faults and susceptibility to tsunamis as reasons to keep the plant shut down.

The point of the requests was to place a discussion on the power plant “on a future Council Agenda for in-depth discussion and presentation by experts,” a news release said. The power plant group also wants more clearly defined evacuation plans and routes.

Similar requests have been made to leaders in Orange County and in other San Diego County cities.

The council took no action on the matter because it was not on the agenda.

Vista resident Chrystal Coleman presented a poster board with pictures of children with deformities, whom she said were victims of fallout from the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Coleman said she has three children.

“I’m concerned about the safety of our children,” she said. “Is this the legacy that we’re leaving to our children? Is this the future that they have to look forward to? … I will not allow this to happen to my children or anyone else’s children for that matter.”

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