Photo: MARK RALSTON / AFP / Getty Images
California's last nuclear power plant, Diablo Canyon, has received state approval to continue operations for at least five more years.
The California Coastal Commission voted on Thursday to allow Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), the plant's owner, to keep the facility open until 2030. This decision requires PG&E to conserve 4,000 acres of surrounding land, preventing future commercial or residential development. Diablo Canyon, located along the San Luis Obispo shoreline, is the state's largest energy source, providing nearly 10% of California's electricity.
The approval process reignited debates about the environmental impact of nuclear power. Critics, including environmental groups and some Native tribes, voiced concerns over the plant's effects on marine life and radioactive waste. Diablo Canyon's cooling system reportedly kills nearly 2 billion larval fish annually. Despite these concerns, the plant is seen as a reliable, carbon-free energy source, especially as California faces increasing energy demands.
Senator John Laird and Assemblymember Dawn Addis, both representing the plant's district, advocated for more extensive conservation efforts. They pushed PG&E to conserve additional land and create trail easements. PG&E agreed to conserve up to 6,700 acres and set aside $10 million for trail construction. The utility also committed to prohibiting the sale of 5,000 acres through 2040 unless for conservation purposes.
While the state has approved the extension, Diablo Canyon still awaits federal approval for a 20-year relicensing permit. The California Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board will vote on the plant's continued operations in February. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission will then decide on extending federal approval, potentially allowing operations beyond 2030.