There is “no imminent safety concern” of earthquakes severely damaging the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, but the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will review the possibility, staff told environmental groups last week.
Commission staff will conduct their review “within a reasonable time,” according to a letter sent Aug. 27 to attorneys representing three environmental groups from Michael Franovich, acting deputy director of NRC’s Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
NRC in July met with the groups about their petition, filed in March, to shut down Diablo Canyon over what the environmentalists called “unacceptable seismic risk.” The petitioners are San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace, Friends of the Earth, and Environmental Working Group.
The groups wanted NRC to immediately shut down Diablo Canyon, which is in the midst of a multi-billion effort to extend its operating life by at least five years. While commission staff have so far found nothing “that warrants immediate shutdown” of the plant, they now will take a look at the environmentalists’ claims.
That review will take place at the same time as NRC staff vet an application for a 20-year license extension from Diablo Canyon operator Pacific Gas & Electric Co. California has approved only a five-year extension, to 2030, but has not forbidden the utility from getting a longer-term extension of its federal license.
NRC staff have said they could finish reviewing the renewal application in August 2025 or so.