In recent weeks, there has been increased activity at the state and national levels that could result in extending the life of Diablo Canyon past its scheduled closure.




Back in 2016, PG&E announced plans to close the nuclear plant, noting that the transition to renewable energy would make continued operations too costly. In partnership with labor, community and advocacy groups, part of the plan to retire the reactors was that by 2024 and 2025, there would be sufficient renewable electricity to make up for the loss – right now, that does not look likely.

As California tries to move from a reliance on fossil fuels to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, there is a concern that, during extreme weather events, renewable energy alone will not be enough to meet the state’s rising power demand.

At the same time, keeping Diablo open involves numerous technical, financial and logistical challenges. Challenges that the State and Federal government are looking to ease with financial assistance and legislative changes.

The SLO Chamber, through work of our Board of Directors as well as our Legislative Action and Economic Development Committees is supportive of legislative and regulatory changes that would give Diablo the opportunity to continue operating as a stopgap measure.

Importantly, we are also urging all parties to continue essential conservation and other reuse planning efforts already underway and to accelerate the pace at which new renewable energy sources and storage are brought online to ensure that California has safe, reliable and distributed power sources for generations to come.

 

<em>SLO Chamber's positions</em>

August 29, 2022

SLO Chamber letter in support of SB-846

December 10, 2018

SLO Chamber comments on DCDEP Draft Strategic Vision

August 31, 2018

Community letter in support of SB1090

April 8, 2018

Letter in support of SB1090

November 27, 2017

Letter from the SLO Chamber and nine other community organizations to the CA Public Utilities Commission


August 29, 2022

That the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce is supportive of legislative and regulatory changes such as SB-846 that would give Diablo the opportunity to continue operating as a stopgap measure.


November 9, 2017

That the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce urgently advocate support for the community impact mitigations included in the joint proposal before the California Public Utilities Commission as presented. – SLO Chamber Board of Directors


October 17, 2016

That the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce supports comprehensive and timely independent economic analysis in order to understand the short and long term economic impacts of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant closure on our regional economy, in order to plan for and maintain the spirit and quality of life in the place we love. – SLO Chamber Executive Committee on behalf of the Board of Directors


June 23, 2016

That the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce support the extension of the California State Lands Commission lease for ocean intake and outfall at Diablo Canyon Power Plant to 2025 from 2018. – SLO Chamber Board of Directors

SLO Chamber’s letter in support of a lease extension (pdf)


May 19, 2016

That the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce support Senate Bill 968, focused on the economic impacts if the Diablo Canyon power plant were to temporarily or permanently cease operations. – SLO Chamber Board of Directors


August 20, 2015

That the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce recommends that the County of San Luis Obispo pursue a partnership with PG&E to install the infrastructure to connect the existing desalination plant at Diablo Canyon Power Plant to the Lopez Water System. – SLO Chamber Board of Directors


June 17, 2010

That the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce supports concurrent Shoreline fault studies with license renewal review of Diablo Canyon Power Plant on the condition that PG&E expeditiously complete these seismic studies. We do not support final license renewal without their completion. – SLO Chamber Board of Directors

<em>In the news</em>

August 30, 2022
Governor, lawmakers debate longer run for California nukes (The Tribune)

June 29, 2022
California may rescue its last nuclear power plant — and give PG&E millions to do it (Cal Matters)

May 30, 2018
Diablo Canyon Legislation Approved by California Senate (NRDC)

April 2, 2018
SLO County could be a ‘renewable energy hub’ after Diablo closes. Here’s how, Carbajal says (The Tribune)

January 11, 2018
$85 million Diablo Canyon settlement is dead — what does SLO County do now? (The Tribune)
Coalition disappointed by CPUC’s rejection of Diablo settlement

December 14, 2017
Letter from Congressman Carbajal to the CPUC (pdf)

December 7, 2017
Letter from the State Lands Commission to the CPUC (pdf)

November 20, 2017
Statement issued by Senator Monning and Assemblyman Cunningham about recent decision on Diablo Canyon Joint Proposal (pdf)

November 8, 2017
SLO County cities, schools may not get $85 million from Diablo Canyon closure settlement (The Tribune)

April 19, 2017
Here’s what you need to know after the first day of PG&E’s Diablo Canyon closure hearings (The Tribune)

April 18, 2017
PG&E shareholders – not customers – should pay for SLO community funding, says state agency (KCBX)

April 17, 2017
Diablo Canyon closure hearings to begin this week in San Francisco (The Tribune)

Feb. 22, 2017
Jordan Cunningham introduces Assembly bill to explore use of Diablo desal plant (The Tribune)

Nov. 28, 2016
PG&E to pay $85 million to cities, SLO County, school district for Diablo Canyon closure (The Tribune)
Multimillion dollar agreement reached to ease impacts of Diablo Canyon closure (County of San Luis Obispo)
San Luis Coastal Unified School District and PG&E agree to Diablo settlement (San Luis Coastal Unified School District)
Coalition of cities and SLO County reach tentative Diablo Mitigation Agreement (City of San Luis Obispo)

Oct. 31, 2016
NRC to discuss potential safety violation at Diablo Canyon (Lompoc Record)

Oct. 5, 2016
PG&E promises public input before making post-Diablo land decisions (The Tribune)

Sept. 26, 2016
PG&E Responds to Public Comments on Diablo Canyon Joint Proposal (PG&E press release)

Sept. 15, 2016
Six local cities protest proposed Diablo Canyon closure plan (The Tribune)
Mayors urge CPUC to deny PG&E proposal to close Diablo Canyon (Pacific Coast Business Times)

Aug. 11, 2016
Proposal to close Diablo Canyon submitted to California Public Utilities Commission (Pacific Coast Business Times)

Aug. 10, 2016
State Lands Commission faces lawsuit over Diablo Canyon lease (The Tribune)

July 26, 2016
PG&E delays filing Diablo Canyon closure plan (The Tribune)

July 19, 2016
SLO City Council votes to explore intervening in Diablo Canyon closure (The Tribune)

July 9 , 2016
SLO County agencies want a voice in Diablo Canyon closure agreement (The Tribune)

June 28, 2016
Hundreds gather in Morro Bay for Diablo Canyon permit decisions (KSBY)
State commission renews Diablo Canyon’s cooling system lease to 2025 (The Tribune)

June 25, 2016
State to consider extending Diablo Canyon’s lease for seawater cooling system (The Tribune)
Nuclear plant shutdown in Illinois could offer lessons for SLO County (The Tribune)
PG&E CEO Tony Earley’s letter to employees on Diablo Canyon closure (The Tribune)

June 23, 2016
SLO City Council sends letter supporting Diablo Canyon lease extension
 (The Tribune)

June 22, 2016
Business leaders predict Diablo Canyon shutdown will be an economic hurdle (The Tribune)
State Lands Commission to weigh in on Diablo Canyon (KSBY)
Diablo Canyon Adds $1 Billion To Local Economy Every Year (KEYT)

June 21, 2016
PG&E agrees to close Diablo Canyon in 2025 (The Tribune)
SLO County desalination plan dries up with Diablo decision (KSBY)
Why California is shuttering its last nuclear power plant
 (The Tribune)
Diablo Canyon’s looming closure makes job creation an even greater priority (The Tribune)
SLO County, school district react to Diablo decision (KSBY)