In a controversial move, California energy regulators, specifically the California Public Utilities Commission, voted to extend the operating license of the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant for an additional five years. The decision shifts the closure date from 2025, as initially agreed upon, to 2030. The twin reactors, supplying up to 9% of the state’s electricity daily, have been a subject of contention, with environmental groups advocating for its shutdown.
Despite calls from activists and environmental organizations to close the plant, the Public Utilities Commission’s decision allows Diablo Canyon, the state’s last operational nuclear power facility, to continue its operations. The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission will separately consider extending the plant’s operating licenses.
The Diablo Canyon plant, located between Los Angeles and San Francisco, commenced operations in the mid-1980s. PG&E, the operator of the plant, had initially agreed in 2016 to decommission it by 2025. However, a change in direction has led to the decision to seek a longer operational run, emphasizing the plant’s role in providing electricity without contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
Governor Gavin Newsom, once an advocate for closing the plant, reversed his stance, asserting that Diablo Canyon’s power is necessary beyond 2025 to prevent potential blackouts during California’s transition to solar and other renewable energy sources.
Environmental groups, including Friends of the Earth and the Environmental Working Group, condemned the extension. Critics highlight the aging plant’s projected costs exceeding $6 billion and argue that with California’s increasing reliance on renewable energy, there is no justification to keep Diablo Canyon operational. The decision intensifies the ongoing debate over the safety, financial implications, and environmental impact of the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant.