SCE Dodges Safety Questions

Forwarded by Mission Viejo watchdog Joe Holtzman, who wrote, “As usual, Southern California Edison is deceiving the ratepayers, the public, their stakeholders and themselves. Now, Edison is trying another dodge. See the following details that expose Edison's latest game.”

Below is FOE's response to the announcement from SCE today. I think they wanted to stop our momentum on our quest for an ADJUDICATED License Amendment by suggesting they were okay with that (but not the adjudicated evidentiary type). Actually, they probably saw that they would have to submit to that EVIDENTIARY hearing and opted for this more expedient type of license amendment process. It also gets them off the hook for having to prove they could operate safely at 100%. Most concerning is the fact that what they are "considering" could result in a quick approval by the NRC, allowing them to actually restart, leaving us to scramble to get a hearing after they are already up and running. We better be ready for that even if it is a remote possibility.

Press Release: SAN ONOFRE: Edison admits need for license amendment, but wants to circumvent safety questions. Friends of the Earth: Full public participation essential.

WASHINGTON, March 21 – After more than a year of denial, Southern California Edison is ready to concede that a license amendment is needed before restarting one of the crippled reactors at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. But Friends of the Earth said the utility’s request to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission would actually be an attempt to get around a rigorous license amendment proceeding with full examination of critical safety issues and public participation.

Edison’s announcement was made this morning at the opening of oral arguments before the Atomic Safety Licensing Board in a case brought by Friends of the Earth, which argues that Edison’s restart plan requires significant changes to their operating license. Edison said it may request a license amendment early next month, but with a catch: a “No Significant Hazards Consideration” analysis claiming that restart would not involve any significant safety risks. If the NRC grants the request under those conditions, the public would yet again be denied their lawful right to full and meaningful participation in the process.

“Edison has finally admitted they are wrong. They claimed for months that they did not need an amended license for their experimental restart plan. Now these claims have been shown to be as unreliable as their reactors,” said Kendra Ulrich, nuclear campaigner with Friends of the Earth. “But the devil is in the details,” Ulrich continued. “The key issue will be whether they’re willing to address the multiple unresolved safety issues with San Onofre’s steam generators. In the past, Edison has requested minor amendments as a PR ploy to claim they’re complying with the process. It looks like they’re trying the same trick again.”

Edison's planned request comes despite major ongoing safety reviews of San Onofre. The NRC has yet to conclude an extensive investigation into the crisis at the plant, including detailed technical assessments as to whether it’s safe to operate the reactor for five months at reduced power.

“It is inconceivable that the NRC would grant a finding of no significant hazard in this case,” said Damon Moglen, climate and energy director for Friends of the Earth. “It is obvious to everyone that Edison could not get a new license to run these damaged steam generators and that the damage caused has already led to the release of radiation in the past. Once again, it appears that Edison is more focused on making profits than it is in assuring the safety of millions of Southern Californians living near these reactors.”

Contact: Kendra Ulrich, Friends of the Earth, (216) 571-7340

Nanny Keeps City Safe

Mission Viejo residents who watched the city council meeting on Mar. 18 heard an amazing explanation of why Mission Viejo is among the nation’s “safest cities.” Such rankings are determined by the number of specific crimes: homicide, rape, robbery, assault, residential burglary, commercial burglary, theft/larceny and stolen vehicles.

On the council’s Mar. 18 agenda was the city’s contribution of $760,000 to the Saddleback Valley USD after-school program. Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht asked if the city’s cost could be reduced by having parents pay a higher percentage for their children’s care. She cited the cost to parents at $20 per child for the upcoming nine-week summer program. She said taxpayers are picking up the real costs, $163 per child for the program. Councilwoman Trish Kelley agreed, saying she was concerned about the city’s rising costs. She indicated scholarships are available for families if they can’t afford to pay.

Then Councilman Frank Ury spoke in favor of increasing the taxpayers’ burden by $48,000, bringing the city’s payment to $760,000 to SVUSD. After insulting anyone who disagreed with him, he said the program is the type of thing “that makes Mission Viejo the safest city.”

Since the upper age limit for children in the childcare program is approximately 10 years old, what is he saying? Again, the crimes that determine safe-city rankings are homicide, rape, robbery, assault, residential burglary, commercial burglary, theft/larceny and stolen vehicles.

As proof Ury’s remark was ridiculous, Hee-Haw Councilman Dave Leckness agreed with him, claiming children would be “spray-painting walls and breaking into homes” in Mission Viejo if such programs ended. This is the same loon who said during a council meeting in 2012 that children attending his campout in a city park should be given rifles.

Councilwomen Schlicht and Kelley didn’t say the childcare programs should end. They said participants should pay more to offset rising costs. Councilwoman Schlicht also reminded the staff that government programs should not undercut the private sector to the point businesses offering similar services cannot compete.

If more residents were to watch even one council meeting, the results on Election Day would be quite different. Voters will now have to wait until the November 2014 election to remove loons from office.

Non-government Events

Following is a sampling of events and activities that are not funded by taxpayers or promoted by the Nanny State. Please support private enterprise and non-profit groups.

La Vida Drum Circle, Wed., Mar. 27, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m., group meets on the evening of every full moon (April 25, May 24, etc.). Drummers should bring their drums. Donations of firewood are appreciated for the bonfire, Aliso Beach, Aliso and Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, (949) 275-7544, http://www.lavidalaguna.com/full-moon-drum-circle

Concert at Soka: Jazz Monsters Tribute to Jimmy Wyble on Fri., Mar. 29, 7:30 p.m., Performing Arts Center; 12th Annual International Festival on Sat., May 4, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Fun With Chalk on Sat.-Sun., May 4-5, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4278, http://www.performingarts.soka.edu

Crossline Church Easter Celebration, Sat.-Sun., Mar. 30-31. Community egg drop on Sat., Mar. 30, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, 40,000 eggs dropped from a helicopter. Easter services on Sat., Mar. 30, 5:00 p.m., and Sun., Mar. 31, 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., 23331 Moulton Pkwy., Laguna Hills, (949) 916-0251, http://www.crosslinechurch.com

Easter Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt, O’Neill’s Bar & Grill, Sun., Mar. 31, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; egg hunt from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. BOOK Online. Or
Download Flyer Arroyo Trabuco, 26772 Avery Parkway, Mission Viejo, (949) 305-5100, http://www.arroyotrabuco.com/calendar.aspx

“Having it All,” new musical by John Kavanaugh, runs through Sun., March 31, Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach , (949) 497-2787, ext. 1, http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com

Big Bucks Bingo, Wednesdays, 6:15 p.m. early bird and 6:45 p.m. regular games, Mission Viejo Elks Lodge, Marguerite and La Paz, Mission Viejo, (949) 830-3557. 
http://www.mvelks.com/

Recycling Drive at St. Kilian’s Church, Sat., Apr. 20, 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, held on the third Saturday of each month. Organized by Knights of Columbus; acceptable items include aluminum, paper and plastic. No glass or cardboard. Lower parking lot, 26872 Estanciero Drive, Mission Viejo, (949) 472-1249, http://www.stkilianchurch.org

Political and Government Events Calendar

Saddleback Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet “if necessary” on Tues., Mar. 26, 6:30 p.m. The next regular board meeting will be on Tues., April 16 (third Tuesday due to spring recess), 6:30 p.m., 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us/

Santa Margarita Water District Board of Directors will meet on Wed., Mar. 27, at 7:00 p.m., 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com

Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet on Wed., Mar. 27, 7:00 p.m., district office, 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano. Agenda and supporting documentation are published on the website 72 hours prior to a meeting, (949) 234-9200, http://capousd.ca.schoolloop.com/

Orange County Parks Commission will meet on Thurs., Apr. 4, 7:00 p.m. The commission meets on the first Thursday of every month. Irvine Ranch Historic Park, 13042 Old Myford Rd., Irvine, (949) 923-3741, http://ocgov.com/cals/

Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT! for America will hold a General Meeting on Mon., Apr. 8. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. The meeting starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m., Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo.

OC Veterans Advisory Council Meeting, Wed., April 10, 6:00 p.m. The council meets on the second Wednesday of each month. Veterans Service Office, Conference Room A/B, 1300 S. Grand Ave., Building B, Santa Ana, https://cms.ocgov.com/gov/occr/occs/veterans/advisory/default.asp

“The Conservative Resurrection,” panel discussion with Hugh Hewitt, Michael Medved, Ben Shapiro and moderator Brian Whitman, Wed., Apr. 10, 7:00 p.m., Nixon Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://nixonfoundation.org

The Rush Limbaugh Club, Orange County Chapter, will host guest speaker Councilman Bill Brough, Dana Point, on Sat., April 13, 8 a.m. breakfast. Meeting starts at 8:30 a.m., Casta del Sol Golf Clubhouse, 27601 Casta del Sol, Mission Viejo.

Orange County Board of Supervisors will meet on Tues., Apr. 16, 9:30 a.m., Board Hearing Room, First Floor, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 834-3100. http://ocgov.com/cals/?ViewBy=7&CalDate=1/15/2013&EventDateID=89649

Capistrano Valley Republican Women Federated, Wed., Apr. 17, 9:00 a.m. CVRWF meets on third Wednesdays. Call (949) 496-2525 for reservations, http://cvrwf.org

Saddleback Republican Assembly, Thurs., Apr. 18, 7:00 p.m. SRA meets on third Thursdays (except in December, July and August) at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Jacaranda Room-B, Mission Viejo. For information call (949) 360-1717.

Political Memorabilia Collectors’ Fair, Sat., Apr. 20, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Richard Nixon Presidential Library, buy, sell, swap or browse. Expert collectors will buy, sell and appraise campaign materials and political memorabilia, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://nixonfoundation.org

California Republican Assembly Convention, Fri.-Sun., April 26-28, Doubletree San Francisco Airport, Burlingame. For information call (650) 697-1964.

The Buzz

Save the date: the Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT for America will hold a General Meeting on Mon., Apr. 8, at the Norm Murray Community Center. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. and the meeting starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. Featured speaker will be Jeff Ferguson, Senior Deputy District Attorney for Orange County. His topic will be “How Judges Can Stop Sharia in America.” The address of the Community Center is 24932 Veterans Way in Mission Viejo.

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Saddleback College students have formed a Christian Bible Study Club. The club will meet in the Quad on Tues., Mar. 26, 11:00 a.m. for Christian fellowship and Bible studies. For more information, call (831) 419-2090 or go to http://www.saddleback.edu/news/campus-events/christian-students-club-bible-study. Also at Saddleback College this week, the Department of Theatre Arts will present “The Women of Lockerbie,” opening Fri., Mar. 29, 8:00 p.m., and running through Apr. 7.

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Mission Viejo City Manager Dennis Wilberg had another slow week. His newsletter, “The Week That Was,” filled only half of one page. One paragraph was about a preparedness program for senior citizens, and the other blurb was about a library program for schools. Wilberg’s write-up about the library program includes a photo of the “audience” – seven people and some empty chairs. Maybe by his description of a great response he means they were cheering loudly. Wilberg’s predecessor, ex-city manager Dan Joseph, used to say he needed only three of the five council votes to keep his job. Wilberg has four cheerleaders on the council, which sheds light on his accomplishments for the week ending Mar. 22 – another “Week That Wasn’t.”

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Tea Party Patriot Dan writes, “Where is the Congressional Oversight Committee when it comes to the exorbitant spending sprees of Biden and Obama, and where are the Benghazi survivors? I am asking everyone to call Congress and demand an investigation and let Congress know we are sick of paying them to do nothing. … Biden is spending $585,000 to stay one night in a hotel and we the taxpayers have to sell our souls to China to pay for it. Now we are giving Jordan $200 million while they burn our flag. Congress can subpoena witnesses, or force them to testify under oath before its committees, yet they do nothing. Why are we putting up with this?”

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Last week, city watchdog Larry Gilbert encouraged people to attend the Mar. 19 Lake Forest Council meeting to express support for the proposal of allowing an invocation at the beginning of council meetings. On Mar. 19, the proposal was approved with a 4-1 vote. Larry wrote: “As Mission Viejo celebrates our 25th anniversary on March 31st there is one area of our city council meetings where we have been on the same page since 1988. I refer to the opening of every city council meeting with a pledge to our flag and an invocation. In fact with Irvine's recent vote to add an invocation with their council meetings there are now 25 of our 34 cities each following this format. Source: OC Register.

“We all have heard that the U.S. Senate opens their sessions with a prayer by their chaplain. Since Sept 1774 we have opened congressional sessions with an invocation. Every year our church issues a listing of elected officials from local city council and state representatives to the president so that we can be praying for them by name as they direct public policy that impacts all of our lives.

“So we return from a vacation only to read that a Mission Viejo resident named Karla Westphal, reported as co-president of the OC Chapter, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, showing up at a Lake Forest city council meeting to express her opposition to their adding an invocation to their meetings.

“Strange. I've been attending Mission Viejo city council meeting for the past 20-25 years and I do not recall ever seeing or hearing from this attention-grabbing activist expressing any opposition to the invocation in the city where the Register reports as her residence.

“As it is, we are hearing of efforts to remove "in God we trust" from our currency. There are times when we have to let this small minority know that adding a brief invocation is not a separation of church and state issue as alleged. It is not a stealth effort to promote anyone to organized religions be it the Bahá'í Faith, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism or the Sikh faith.

“Every elected official should be in prayer as they make decisions that will impact future generations after they leave office.”

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