SAN CLEMENTE - Southern California Edison will pay $210,000 for failing to have funds available for closure of the hazardous waste facility at the San Onofre nuclear plant and potential liability, regulators said today.

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control reports the settlement stems from SCE's failure to set up and demonstrate "financial assurance" from Jan. 16, 2001 through March 12, 2002.

State law requires that assurance funds be available to pay for closure of the hazardous waste facility at the proper time, and to pay for third-party claims that may arise from the facility's operation.

The agency said $139,506 of the money is a penalty, and $23,992 is to reimburse its costs.

The remaining $46,502 will help pay for environmental enforcement and training programs for regulators, prosecutors, firefighters and law enforcement, according to the CDTSC. CNS-04-2-2004 11:38