An investigation done by the San Francisco Chronicle revealed the decision to keep the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power running was an in-depth process involving pro-nuclear lobbyists and venture capitalists. They fought to convince lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom to keep the planning running for the next five years. PG&E reached an agreement with climate groups in 2016 to shut down the two reactors by 2025. However, in 2022, lawmakers passed SB 846, which keeps the plant running until 2030. According to the Chronicle’s investigation, Newsom pushed to keep it open to help his chances of winning the nomination, if he decides to run for president in 2028. “It has nothing with needing the power, it has nothing to do with money,” said Linda Seeley with Mothers for Peace, a group protesting the power plant. “It has everything to do with politics.”Newsom’s office has denied those claims. The governor and lawmakers say the reason they wanted to keep Diablo Canyon running is because of its impact on the power grid. Gov. Newsom said that during extreme heat waves, Diablo Canyon is important to keeping the grid stable while avoiding blackouts. A study done by MIT and Stanford in 2021 showed that keeping Diablo Canyon running could cut carbon emissions by 10% and save over $2 billion in system costs. According to the investigation, the study started a campaign by people who are pro-nuclear to get the plant to remain open. “Diablo Canyon is the backbone of the California clean, reliable electrical system,” said Richard St. Onge, a consultant with the American Nuclear Society. “If you look at the numbers out there, California gets 10% of its electricity from Diablo Canyon.” Environmentalists have long feared the worst with Diablo Canyon because it sits on several fault lines and is positioned on the water. “There is no other nuclear power plant in the United States that’s built on earthquake faults,” Seeley said. “If they tried to get a license to build that plant right now, do you think there would be a chance in the world of them getting it? No. You know, that’s crazy. You couldn’t build a house out there.”Others think the plant will continue running well beyond 2030. PG&E just applied for another federal license, which would allow the plant to operate until 2045. The governor’s office says they are only focused on the current plan of running until 2030. However, with advancements in AI and more people driving electric cars, some say there needs to be a plant that can generate enough electricity for it all. “With all this talk about data centers and electrification of things and shutting down coal plants and shutting down gas plants, where’s this energy going to come from?” St. Onge asked. “To say that Diablo Canyon is going to be running for five years, I think it’s a great start.”See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
An investigation done by the San Francisco Chronicle revealed the decision to keep the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power running was an in-depth process involving pro-nuclear lobbyists and venture capitalists. They fought to convince lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom to keep the planning running for the next five years.
PG&E reached an agreement with climate groups in 2016 to shut down the two reactors by 2025. However, in 2022, lawmakers passed SB 846, which keeps the plant running until 2030.
According to the Chronicle’s investigation, Newsom pushed to keep it open to help his chances of winning the nomination, if he decides to run for president in 2028.
“It has nothing with needing the power, it has nothing to do with money,” said Linda Seeley with Mothers for Peace, a group protesting the power plant. “It has everything to do with politics.”
Newsom’s office has denied those claims. The governor and lawmakers say the reason they wanted to keep Diablo Canyon running is because of its impact on the power grid. Gov. Newsom said that during extreme heat waves, Diablo Canyon is important to keeping the grid stable while avoiding blackouts.
A study done by MIT and Stanford in 2021 showed that keeping Diablo Canyon running could cut carbon emissions by 10% and save over $2 billion in system costs. According to the investigation, the study started a campaign by people who are pro-nuclear to get the plant to remain open.
“Diablo Canyon is the backbone of the California clean, reliable electrical system,” said Richard St. Onge, a consultant with the American Nuclear Society. “If you look at the numbers out there, California gets 10% of its electricity from Diablo Canyon.”
Environmentalists have long feared the worst with Diablo Canyon because it sits on several fault lines and is positioned on the water.
“There is no other nuclear power plant in the United States that’s built on earthquake faults,” Seeley said. “If they tried to get a license to build that plant right now, do you think there would be a chance in the world of them getting it? No. You know, that’s crazy. You couldn’t build a house out there.”
Others think the plant will continue running well beyond 2030. PG&E just applied for another federal license, which would allow the plant to operate until 2045. The governor’s office says they are only focused on the current plan of running until 2030. However, with advancements in AI and more people driving electric cars, some say there needs to be a plant that can generate enough electricity for it all.
“With all this talk about data centers and electrification of things and shutting down coal plants and shutting down gas plants, where’s this energy going to come from?” St. Onge asked. “To say that Diablo Canyon is going to be running for five years, I think it’s a great start.”
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel