Pacific Gas & Electric Co. has formally requested to withdraw its application with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for renewal of reactor Units 1 and 2 at the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant. The utility instead plans to shut down California’s last operational atomic energy facility within a decade.
“PG&E hereby requests to withdraw the [license renewal application] for DCPP Units 1 and 2, and all associated correspondence and commitments,” the company said in a March 7 letter to the NRC, which was posted on the agency’s website on March 14. “The decision to withdraw the LRA is based on the determination that continued baseload operation of the two DCPP units beyond their currently approved operating periods is not necessary to meet California’s projected energy demand requirements.”
PG&E referred questions on the matter to the NRC, which could not be reached for comment by deadline.
Diablo Canyon’s reactors went online in 1985 and 1986. PG&E in November 2009 filed the application requesting the NRC renew their licenses for another 20 years past the end of their current expiration date: Unit 1 in November 2024 and Unit 2 in August 2025.
But in June 2016 the utility, along with a group of partnering environmental and labor organizations, issued a “Joint Proposal” to close the San Luis Obispo County plant and replace its power output with other forms of greenhouse gas-free energy. At that time, the company asked the NRC to suspend its review of the license renewal plan.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) unanimously approved much of the closure plan in January, though it rejected key components, including using $85 million in ratepayer fees to support local communities around San Luis Obispo County following the loss of the plant’s tax revenue. At the time, commissioners said utility rates should be used solely for utility services.
The CPUC-authorized plan also includes nothing from the Joint Proposal’s approach for replacing Diablo Canyon’s energy output with renewables and other greenhouse gas-free sources, though the parties had already withdrawn much of that plan.
In February, PG&E said it would not contest the commission’s ruling.
However, two state lawmakers representing San Luis Obispo County on March 16 introduced legislation authorizing the commission to approve segments of the original Joint Proposal that did not previously make the cut.
If Senate Bill 1090 is passed, CPUC would be required to allow the full $85 million community impact settlement payment and $350 million for employee retention (up from the approved $211.3 million). The commission would also have to ensure its integrated resource plan prevents any increase in greenhouse gas emissions following Diablo Canyon’s closure.
State Sen. Bill Monning (D) and Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham (R) said in prepared comments their bill would provide a stable transition for the community that relies on the economic support provided by the power plant.
“We are grateful for Senator Monning’s and Assemblyman Cunningham’s leadership and the attention they are placing on helping California meet its clean energy goals by running Diablo Canyon to the end of its current licenses while helping to mitigate impacts to the community as it transitions to a new economy,” PG&E said in a statement.
