Recent intense waves and flooding along the Southern California coast have raised concerns about nuclear waste stored at the San Onofre power plant. Oceanographer Kim McCoy highlighted the proximity of the waste canisters to a walkway protecting the seawall, which could be eroded by rising sea levels and storm waves. While experts generally agree the near-term risk is low, Southern California Edison has pledged to relocate the waste if modeling indicates a future challenge from erosion. The issue of the long-term fate of this highly radioactive spent fuel remains a significant concern, as it will remain at the coastal site indefinitely. Geologists point out that the site's location in a seismically active region with young rocks is not ideal for storing nuclear waste. They also voice concerns about potential tsunami vulnerability and the corrosive effects of ocean air on the storage canisters. Southern California Edison maintains its system is safe for decades, citing design resilience against tsunamis and earthquakes. The utility is reinforcing a path below the seawall and estimates inundation would not occur before 2050. Plans for a deep geological repository at Yucca Mountain failed, leading to ongoing lawsuits against the federal government by utilities for storage costs. The Trump administration is proposing "campuses" in several states to store waste, offering local jurisdictions funding for nuclear cycle development. This initiative aims to address waste at 80 reactor sites and accommodate waste from new proposed reactors.