Rancho Seco
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rancho Seco is the name of both a now-defunct nuclear power plant and the surrounding park (Rancho Seco Recreational Area) which was constructed around it. Located south-east of Sacramento, California, the plant was a project of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). The plant shut down in 1989 only after multiple repeated referendum votes finally met the needed 50%. The now-empty towers remain a prominent part of the local landscape. Today, the Rancho Seco Recreational Area is a popular swimming and camping destination. It is open year-around from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
[edit] History
In 1966, SMUD purchased 2,100 acres in southeast Sacramento County for a nuclear power plant. Rancho Seco was built in Clay Station, 25 miles south-east of downtown Sacramento. The reactor achieved initial criticality on September 16, 1974, and entered commercial operation on April 18, 1975.
Rancho Seco had a poor operating history, and a lifetime capacity average of only 39%. Due to this poor operating history and increasing costs, as well as a 10 year promise by PG&E to supply cheap electricity, the plant was closed by public vote on June 6, 1989, even though its operating license did not expire until October 11, 2008. Decommissioning activities are currently underway. Additions to SMUD's Ranco Seco property have included massive solar installations and, more recently, the natural gas-fired Cosumnes Power Plant (brought online in 2006).
In the early 1970s, a small pond was expanded to a 160-acre lake to serve as an emergency backup water supply (in case of fire) for the Rancho Seco power generating station. The lake has always received its water from the Folsom South Canal and has no relationship with the power plant's daily water supply. Surrounding the lake is 400 acres of recreational area originally operated by the County of Sacramento for day-use activities.
In 1992, SMUD took over operation of the park. SMUD uses the park-generated revenues to fund all park-related operating costs. In cooperation with the Nature Conservancy, SMUD In June of 2006 dedicated the Howard Ranch Nature Trail, a seven-mile long trail that follows riparian and marsh habitat along Rancho Seco Lake and the adjoining Howard Ranch that once belonged to the owner of the famous racehorse Seabiscuit.
