San Diego — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 9 voted unanimously to direct staff to explore options for moving or researching reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel now stored at the decommissioned San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.

Supervisor Jim Desmond introduced the discussion item, saying the county holds ‘‘1,400 tons and over 100 canisters’’ of spent fuel at the site and urging a parallel path that would examine reprocessing as an alternative to indefinite interim storage. "I'm requesting support for advocacy of research and development of potentially recycling the spent nuclear fuel, not just trying to bury it someplace," Desmond said during his remarks.

Supervisor Geary offered a friendly amendment calling for clear community-consent processes, strict safety safeguards for any reprocessing technology, and formal support for Congressman Mike Levin's Nuclear Waste Administration Act to create an independent federal office and strengthen consent‑based siting. Geary told colleagues the amendment would ensure "thoughtful and responsible consideration" and direct county legislative engagement toward the federal bill.

The board took public comment from six speakers on the item, including residents who described safety risks of storing canisters on an eroding coastline and others who urged prompt action. After discussion the board voted to move the item forward with Geary’s amendment; county staff will return with legislative analyses and next steps.

Why it matters: The San Onofre spent fuel has been in interim storage for decades; the county's vote signals local officials want to add federal engagement and study reprocessing technologies as one possible path, while also articulating stronger community consent and safety expectations.

What’s next: County staff will incorporate the board’s amendment into legislative engagement and report back on opportunities to advance research partnerships, federal advocacy and community engagement plans.