The San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station has about three more years before the retired site is fully demolished. But what's likely to remain: its radioactive waste, stored with no plan for removal.

San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, whose District 5 includes the plant, wants the spent nuclear fuel removed and recycled. On Tuesday, his board colleagues unanimously approved his proposal to start researching possible ways and their costs.

“There’s 1,400 tons in over 100 canisters sitting at the San Onofre site of spent nuclear fuel right now,” said Desmond. “I'd like to be able to explore utilizing spent nuclear fuel to strengthen and diversify our grid, maybe even lowering energy costs for our working families.”

County leaders have dealt with the question of what to do with nuclear

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