Southern California Edison To Build Giant Kelp Forest

[Judi Lynn]

Southern California Edison To Build Giant Kelp Forest
by Staff Writers
San Clemente CA (SPX) Feb 12, 2008

Southern California Edison (SCE) has gained unanimous approval from state regulators to create a 150-acre man-made giant kelp forest off San Clemente, Calif. SCE plans to begin work this June expanding a 23-acre test reef into the largest U.S. environmental project of its kind.

The resulting two mile kelp forest is expected to produce as much as 50 tons of fish annually and significantly enhance Southern California's marine recreation resources. SCE also is developing the San Dieguito Wetlands Restoration Project near Del Mar, Calif., a 150-acre marine and bird estuary will serve as a protected spawning site for a large variety of ocean fish.

The reef and wetlands projects fulfill an environmental commitment SCE made when granted a permit to build the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. The utility pledged to create projects that would offset any adverse impact on local marine life identified by a high-level independent study group. SCE's objective has been to ensure that operation of the San Onofre facility, Southern California's largest power source, has a net positive impact on local marine ecosystems.

"The reef project is a model of energy sustainability," said Dick Rosenblum, SCE senior vice president and chief nuclear officer. "It ensures that, while in operation, Edison's San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station will have a net positive impact on the local environment. Then, long after the plant has reached the end of its service to customers, the reef will go on producing and nourishing local marine life."

More:
http://www.energy-daily.com/reports/Southern_California_Edison_To_Build_Giant_Kelp_Forest_999.html

[thunder rising]

1. "senior vice president and chief nuclear officer." Somehow I knew Nukes would show up here