Assistant Energy Secretary for Nuclear Energy Rita Baranwal on Tuesday warned of the potential risks of closing the sole remaining operational nuclear power plant in California, in light of the state’s blackouts during a current heat wave.
“Keeping SONGS on line could have prevented some of California’s current blackouts,” Baranwal tweeted, referring to the retired San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station near San Diego. “The state’s decision to shut down Diablo Canyon (California’s last operating nuclear power plant) could lead to more blackouts in the future, along with a rise in carbon emissions.”
Majority owner Southern California Edison permanently retired SONGS’ last two reactors in 2013 after they were equipped with faulty steam generators. The plant is now being decommissioned.
Pacific Gas & Electric Co. owns the two-reactor Diablo Canyon plant in San Luis Obispo County. The utility in 2016 reached an agreement with labor and environmental organizations to retire the facility in the face of changing energy policies in California, with its power output to be replaced with other sources that also do not generate greenhouse gases. The reactors are scheduled to close as their federal licenses expire: Unit 1 on Nov. 2, 2024, and Unit 2 on Aug. 26, 2025.
Baranwal’s branch at the Energy Department, the Office of Nuclear Energy, is charged with promoting sustainment of the existing U.S. nuclear power fleet and development of new reactor technologies. She left no doubt on her position in response to news that California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) was relaxing state pollution rules to help support the supply of power.
“Gee, if ONLY there was an energy source that worked around the clock to meet California’s energy needs without emitting carbon,” Baranwal tweeted.
