A group of elected officials in California are urging Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and leaders of the state legislature to get behind a license extension for the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant in San Luis Obispo County.
“As elected officials throughout California, we represent our constituents’ interests, and what we have been hearing loud and clear is that they want immediate action from lawmakers addressing affordability,” according to the text of the Aug. 4 letter. “That is why we are writing to encourage the Legislature to extend Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP) operations to 2045 this year.”
Pacific Gas & Electric Company’s Diablo Canyon Units 1 and 2 are in a unique situation, having already received their needed federal, but not yet state approval. In April, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved the two units license extension through 2044 and 2045. But the California Legislature must act in order to prevent the plant from closing in 2030.
Newsom has cheered on the NRC license action. The federal regulator is “completing a process Governor Newsom championed in 2022 to prevent the plant from closing prematurely,” according to an April press release from Newsom.
California Senate Bill 846, passed in 2022, delayed Diablo Canyon’s previously scheduled retirement dates of 2024 and 2025, but the state reprieve only lasts until 2030.
In the letter, the local office holders refer to Diablo Canyon as “our only round-the-clock carbon-free energy source that provides a significant foundation for California’s clean energy goals.”
Citing a Massachusetts Institute of Technology study, the local officials believe keeping Diablo Canyon online through 2045 could save California up to $1.3 billion yearly.
The local officials said the state government should not drag its feet approving an extended lifespan for Diablo Canyon because major power purchasers within the state are already looking to line up supply beyond 2030.
The letter is signed by more than three dozen, mayors, city council members and county supervisors from across California.
In addition to Newsom, the letter was also addressed to California Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón and Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas.