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Case studies of nuclear 7

redevelopment

7.1 Rancho Seco NPP redevelopment

Owned by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), Rancho Seco was a
913MW Babcock & Wilcox Pressurized Water Reactor, which was in operation from
1975 to 1989 at Herald, CA; it was permanently shutdown by public referendum on
June 7, 1989, which came up as a conclusion of poor performance, many shutdowns,
cost overruns, and multiple incidents. In April 2006, the SMUD submitted the License
Termination Plan for Rancho Seco to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
(NRC) outlining a phased approach to decommissioning. In 2009, Phase I of the
decommissioning had been completed. The NRC released most of the site for free
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use, while some 4000m housing the independent spent fuel storage installation
remained under NRC jurisdiction. Initially, due to the want of an acceptable low-level
radioactive waste (RAW) disposal facility, the SMUD had some Class B and
C RAW stored in the Interim Onsite Storage Building (IOSB). In 2014, after a suitable
disposal facility became available in Texas, this waste was shipped there for disposal.
In 2016, Phase II decommissioning was completed, including the Final Site Status
Surveys of the IOSB. The survey documents demonstrated that the site was apt for
release in accordance with the criteria given in 10 CFR 20, subpart E (250μSv per
year over background for all dose pathways). A brief history of the nuclear power
plant (NPP) and the current status of its decommissioning fund are given in the
SMUD (2017).
In 1992 SMUD took charge of the Recreational Park. Jointly with the Nature Con-
servancy, the Howard Ranch Nature Trail, an 11-km trail through a marsh habitat
along Rancho Seco Lake (originally installed as an emergency source of water for
the nuclear plant), was added to the park in 2006. The stony trail crosses some pic-
turesque bridges. The main characteristics of the path are temporary ponds, which pro-
vide habitat for protected species. The Amanda Blake wildlife sanctuary is situated
west of the Rancho Seco Lake. Inhabited by animals bred in captivity or saved from
danger, the sanctuary spreads over 30 ha.
The Recreational Park is open to the public for camping, fishing, hiking, and water
activities. Camping is possible at 20 places on the lake coast. Each of these places has
a cookout pit and a table. Potable water and WCs are closeby. Recreational vehicle
camping is also available at many locations. A general store is open in Spring and
Summer. Six docks with handicap access are available for shore fishing or embarking
non-motorized boats on the shores of the lake.
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Fishing from boats is possible at more distant parts of the lake. A 3300m sandy
shore, attended by an appointed lifesaver is available to swimmers. The motor restric-
tion rule makes the lake a popular site for wind surfing and canoeing.
Beyond Decommissioning. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-102790-5.00007-5
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