California PUC launches rulemaking to consider extension of Diablo Canyon nuclear plant

Kavya Balaraman, Jan. 13, 2023

Dive Brief:

• California regulators on Thursday voted to open a rulemaking to consider extending the operations of the 2.2-GW Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant, the last operational nuclear facility in the state.
• The rulemaking stems from legislation approved last September, which among other things required the California Public Utilities Commission to issue a decision by the end of this year establishing new retirement dates for the two units of the nuclear plant.
• The Diablo Canyon nuclear plant, which is owned and operated by Pacific Gas & Electric, is currently licensed to operate until 2024 and 2025 for each of its two units respectively. In 2018, state regulators approved a plan to retire the facility once these licenses expire.

Dive Insight:………………………..

Under SB 846, Diablo Canyon Unit 1 could be kept running through Oct. 31, 2029, and Unit 2 until Oct. 31, 2030.

In November, PG&E applied to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to keep the plant running until 2030. 

Under the umbrella of its new rulemaking, the CPUC could either authorize extending operations at the plant through 2029 and 2030, or establish earlier retirement dates.

…………………………. California stakeholders remain split on the state’s reversal on the future of the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant.

“The rush to keep Diablo Canyon running beyond 2025 is not only dangerous, but will set back California’s drive to make solar and wind the prevailing sources of electricity in the state,” Ken Cook, president of the Environmental Working Group, said in an emailed statement. ………………….  https://www.utilitydive.com/news/california-puc-diablo-canyon-nuclear-extension/640351/

January 15, 2023 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA