Nuclear Power Overview

Featuring Ross Ridenoure
Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station
Southern California Edison

Location:  DBH 1500
Free and open to the public

Abstract:
This presentation will provide a broad overview of San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) as a reliable source of carbon-neutral electricity. Nuclear power's contributions and its potential role in helping California achieve its groundbreaking goals to reduce the greenhouse gases due to electricity generation. A brief description of how a nuclear power plant works and the environmental aspects on nuclear energy will be discussed.

About the Speaker:
In June 2008, Ross Ridenoure became the senior vice president, chief nuclear officer, and site manager for Southern California Edison (SCE), responsible for all aspects of the company’s nuclear business, including operations, engineering, oversight, and regulatory activities of the company’s San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), located in north San Diego County. In December 2007, Ridenoure was named vice president and site manager at SONGS, the largest single source of electricity generation in Southern California. Prior to joining SCE, Ridenoure was a vice president and chief nuclear officer with the Omaha Public Power District, where he had overall responsibility for the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station. Prior to joining the Omaha Public Power District, Ridenoure served on nuclear-powered submarines for eight years in the United States Navy. He recently retired from the Navy after more than 29 years of active and reserve service. Ridenoure is the chairman of the board of directors for the Utilities Services Alliance and a member of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations executive advisory group. Additionally, he has served as a member of SCE’s nuclear oversight board and was a nuclear operations instructor for Illinois Power and for the Westinghouse Electric Company, a leading manufacturer of nuclear power plant equipment. Ridenoure holds undergraduate degrees in sociology and nuclear engineering technology from Excelsior College and an M.B.A. from the University of Nebraska.