California Regulators Extend Operation of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant
In a controversial decision, California energy regulators voted on Thursday to allow the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant to operate for an additional five years, despite calls from environmental groups to shut it down. The California Public Utilities Commission agreed to extend the shutdown date for the state’s last functioning nuclear power facility through 2030, instead of closing it in 2025 as previously agreed.
The twin reactors, located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, have been operating since the mid-1980s and supply up to 9% of the state’s electricity on any given day. The decision to extend the operating licenses of the plant comes after a long fight over its operation and safety, with environmental groups and activists advocating for its closure.
The decision was met with opposition from activists who condemned the extension, citing the projected costs of continuing to run the aging plant, expected to top $6 billion. President of the nonprofit Environmental Working Group, Ken Cook, stated, “This ill-conceived decision will further escalate financial strain on California ratepayers and extend the threat of a catastrophe at Diablo Canyon.”
Despite the opposition, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who was once a leading voice to close the plant, expressed the need for Diablo Canyon’s power beyond 2025 to ward off possible blackouts as California transitions to solar and other renewable energy sources.
The decision to extend the operation of the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant has sparked a debate between environmental concerns and the need for reliable energy sources in California. The fate of the plant will now be further considered by the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the extension of its operating licenses.