There’s a chance Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant in San Luis Obispo County could stay online for at least a few years past its planned closure in 2025.
Governor Gavin Newsom told the L.A. Times Thursday that he’s planning to ask for a share of the $6 billion in federal funds President Biden announced this month, which are meant to save nuclear plants at risk of closing.
Diablo Canyon’s operator, utility PG&E, has previously said it plans to shut down both reactors by 2025, but it appears Newsom is open to the possibility of delaying that closure by a few years.
In a statement to KCBX News Friday, PG&E Spokesperson Suzanne Hosn said the utility is committed to California’s clean energy future and is open to considering all options to ensure continued safe and reliable energy delivery to customers.
Newsom’s office told the Times that the reconsideration is mainly due to projected energy shortages in the next few years.
However, the governor also reportedly clarified to the Times that he would still like to see the plant shut down in the long term, even if the closure is delayed.
Save Clean Energy Founder Isabelle Boemeke is an advocate for keeping Diablo Canyon open. She has participated in a San Luis Obispo County clean energy rally and recently helped draft a letter to the Governor’s Office urging a reconsideration of the plant's closure. It was signed by nearly 80 climate and energy experts.
“I think this is a huge deal. Even though it’s not the end of it and it’s just a maybe," Boemeke said. "It’s just putting it on the table. But, honestly, even a couple of months ago, it wasn’t even on the table.”
Central Coast Congressman Salud Carbajal reacted to this news by voicing support for renewable energy, but also calling on the governor not to make this decision without buy-in from local communities.
“I certainly appreciate the Governor’s interest in continuing California’s energy transition and reducing carbon emissions, but too many Central Coast jobs and livelihoods are at stake to make this decision without community input," Carbajal said in a release.
The application deadline for the federal funds is May 19.
This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.
