Underground siting of nuclear power reactors, determination of site characteristics, and general site availability in California

This report details the criteria and conclusions developed by staff of the Energy Commission pertaining to general site availability for underground nuclear power plants. Establishing the existence of technically suitable siting areas was deemed an integral part of the overall study of underground nuclear power reactors. Specifically, this portion of the study deals with parameters, both physical and social, which could influence or limit the siting of underground nuclear power plants in California. Siting criteria were developed for two sub-surface concepts: (1) berm-contained plants, wherein the reactor and principal radioactivity-containing structures are covered with soil; and, (2) rock sited plants, wherein the reactor and principal systems are located in large caverns excavated in competent rock