The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission believes that Pacific Gas & Electric’s bankruptcy proceeding will not affect the utility’s plan to begin decommissioning its two Diablo Canyon nuclear power reactors in 2024 and 2025.
On March 16, the NRC responded in writing to PG&E’s Feb. 26 request for the federal agency’s opinion on whether the bankruptcy would impact the safety of operations and future decommissioning of Diablo Canyon. That included whether there will be sufficient funding to maintain required safety levels.
The federal agency “does not anticipate that the Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) bankruptcy filing, including that of its parent company, will have any adverse safety impacts at” Diablo Canyon, NRC Region IV Administrator Scott Morris wrote. “Additionally, the NRC staffs view is that sufficient funding remains available to maintain required safety levels at these facilities for operations and decommissioning. Based on recent inspection activities, the NRC has not identified any current concerns that PG&E’s financial challenges are adversely impacting the safe operations or decommissioning of the facilities.”
The March 16 letter addressed similar questions posed by both PG&E and the California Public Utilities Commission about the company’s finances related to the eventual decommissioning of the Diablo Canyon reactors.
Morris said there is no indication yet the bankruptcy will change the schedule to begin decommissioning.
“The NRC does not have information to suggest that the PG&E bankruptcy will delay or hinder the proposed decommissioning schedules. The NRC will continue to conduct inspections of PG&E’s facilities to monitor PG&E’s compliance with the NRC’s requirements for safe operation and decommissioning of its licensed facilities,” the letter said.
