SONGS Decommissioning Solutions
San Clemente, California
Nuclear Power Plant - Phase 1
PROJECT BACKGROUND Brandenburg completed Phase 1 demolition and environmental remediation of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) located south of San Clemente, California. The facility began operation in 1968 with Unit #1 generating 1,100 megawatts. Units 2 and 3 came on-line in the 1980’s, which added another 1,100 megawatts each until the plants were retired in 2013. Brandenburg’s work was closely observed by multiple governmental agencies including the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District, CAL OSHA and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Brandenburg’s transparent approach with a keen emphasis on safety was embraced by all the constituents associated with the project. The demolition and remediation project consisted of 14 ancillary buildings. Some heavily reinforced and others that had to be selectively demolished employing skid-steer loaders to protect adjacent structures designated to remain. Brandenburg utilized excavators equipped with hydraulic shears and/or grapple attachments to raze the buildings. Wire saws and excavators equipped with pneumatic hammers were used to create the containment openings. The entire project was completed utilizing a crew of 70 with over130,000 man-hours and sustained zero lost time injuries.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
