Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant gets regulator’s green light to extend operations

The operator of the last nuclear power plant in the US state of California has received approval from the local regulator to extend the plant’s operations. Under the original plans, PG&E wanted to close the plant in 2025, but it is now likely to remain in operation for another 5 years. Although the state is making considerable efforts to develop renewable energy sources, it continues to face challenges in ensuring security of supply.

The way for the plant to continue operating beyond 2025 was cleared by California lawmakers last September through an amendment to the legislation. The new law will also provide Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) with a state loan of 1.4 billion dollars to extend the plant’s operations. Under the law, the company must pursue every possible avenue to secure funding from federal grants, which it will then use to repay the state loan and lower electricity prices for consumers.

Last week, the California Public Utilities Commission approved extending the operation of the state’s last nuclear power plant through 2030. However, approval from the local regulator is conditional on the extension also being approved by the federal nuclear regulator. The state loan to PG&E, which operates the plant, must also not be terminated. Finally, the regulator made the extension conditional on not finding in the future that the plant’s operation is imprudent or unreasonable.

“Maintaining electricity supplies in California requires Diablo Canyon to remain in operation. Extending the operation of Diablo Canyon beyond 2025 will support California’s transition to clean energy by providing the state’s power system with a still-available, dispatchable source of clean electricity generated from nuclear energy,” said Kenneth Petersen, president of the American Nuclear Society.