Nuclear

PG&E requests federal extension of operations at Diablo Canyon Power Plant

In 2016, California legislators decided to shut down the power plant – a decision that it reversed last year. The current operating licenses for Units 1 and 2 would otherwise expire in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
PG&E requests federal extension of operations at Diablo Canyon Power Plant
(Diablo Canyon Power Plant)

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) requested a license renewal application with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) seeking to extend operations at the Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP), the last remaining nuclear power plant in California.

The effort to keep Diablo Canyon running was backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom but opposed by some environmental groups. Newsom has cited the need to shore up the state’s electric reliability and prevent rolling blackouts.

In 2016, California legislators decided to shut down the power plant – a decision that it reversed last year. The current operating licenses for Units 1 and 2 would otherwise expire in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

In Sept. of 2022, California legislators and Newsom pushed to keep Diablo Canyon open and signed Senate Bill No. 846 into law, which directed PG&E to pursue the extended operations of the massive energy facility, located near Avila Beach in San Luis Obispo County, to 2030.

However, Newsom has no direct authority over the operating license for the Diablo Canyon Power Plant. The vote opened the way for Pacific Gas & Electric to begin a two-pronged effort to seek a longer run for the plant beyond a scheduled closing by 2025, but uncertainties remain and it does not guarantee that will happen.

DCPP is California’s largest power plant and producer of clean energy. It generates 2,200 MW of baseline electricity, providing approximately 17% of the state’s zero-carbon electricity supply and 8.6% of the state’s total electricity supply. California wants to produce all of its electricity from clean sources by 2045, but has faced challenges with that transition, such as rolling blackouts during a summer heatwave in 2020.

In compliance with federal regulations, PG&E’s license renewal application includes general, environmental, and technical information about DCPP. Once the NRC determines whether the application is sufficient for its review, a multi-year evaluation process will begin, which includes opportunities for public feedback and involvement. Under federal regulation, DCPP will continue to operate until the NRC has taken final action on PG&E’s application.

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