1) On the post from reader Erik:
This is excellent reporting. Let me suggest two additional angles….A) How does San Onofre compare with Diablo Canyon, California’s other coastal nuclear power plant? B) Some start to answering why SoCal Edison seems to have a problem at the plant.
Thanks for your comment and the suggestions for future stories. I will post a brief and unscientific comparison between San Onofre and Diablo Canyon later today that may at least help highlight some of the differences.
Your question about why San Onofre is having the problems it is having is a tough one, and I think it’s one that the employees and managers at San Onofre would love to answer as well. The most likely causes: A mixture of ineffective management, complacency in fixing problems that were evident as far back as 2006; distrust between management and the workforce; ineffective repairs and prevention measures; and a breakdown in what the industry calls the safety culture — a sort of nebulous phrase that covers such things as whether employees feel free to speak up about safety issues and whether the company quickly fixes and learns from its mistakes.
2) On the post from Joe Holtzman:
This yet another example of Southern California Edison’s arrogant actions. Southern California Edison continues on the path established by John Bryson to exploit the rate payers without regard for health, safety, or good business practices. Profs to Elizabeth for keeping the much needed Eagle Eye on Edison.
No response needed.
Keep the questions and comments coming; you can e-mail me at elizabeth_douglass@yahoo.com or comment below.