California lawmakers pass bill extending operations of state’s only nuclear plant News
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California lawmakers pass bill extending operations of state’s only nuclear plant

California lawmakers Thursday passed a bill to extend the operation of Diablo Canyon power plant, the state’s only nuclear power plant, by five years. California’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) previously approved a proposal to close the plant, owned by PG&E, in 2025, but this bill ensures that it will stay open until 2030.

Lawmakers allocated $1.4 billion to keep the power plant open for the continuing years. California expects the federal government to fund the majority of those costs. The bill comes as California suffers a heat wave and a state of emergency. Heat waves increase the risk of black outs and diminish energy resources in the state. Extending the operation of the Diablo Canyon power plant is meant to provide the state with more energy in the long run.

Currently, Diablo Canyon accounts for about nine percent of California’s total electric supply and 17 percent of California’s zero-carbon electricity supply. This is a step towards California’s goal of 100 percent zero-carbon and renewable energy resources by 2045. The bill is now awaiting Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature.

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