Federal Regulator Extends License for Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant
State regulator also approves analysis recommending extension of the plant.
Federal regulators extended the license for the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant past its scheduled closing date in 2025 while the agency considers its license renewal application. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission granted Diablo Canyon an exemption from the requirements to submit a license renewal application as long as it submits a license renewal application by December 31, 2023. If granted, the license renewal would authorize continued operation for up to 20 years.
“After evaluating the company’s exemption request, the NRC staff determined that the exemption is authorized by law, will not present undue risk to the public health and safety, and is consistent with the common defense and security,” the Commission’s statement said.
The Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant, near Avila Beach in San Luis Obispo County, is the largest power source in California and provides 8.6% of the state’s electricity, including approximately 17% of its zero-emissions electricity. The current operating licenses for the plant’s two units expire in 2024 and 2025. Concerns over anticipated power shortages during the state’s transition to renewable energy led to growing support for keeping it open. (See California Keeps Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant Open); (see CEC Approves Analysis Recommending Extending Life Diablo Canyon Power Plant).
CEC Approves Analysis Recommending Extending Life Diablo Canyon Power Plant
Earlier in the week, on February 28, 2023, the California Energy Commission (CEC) today approved a staff analysis recommending the state extend operation of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant through 2030. The determination found that Diablo Canyon is necessary to ensuring electricity reliability and was based on data showing California risks energy supply shortfalls during extreme weather events driven by climate change.
In September 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law S.B. 846, which extended the life of the 2,250 MW Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant’s two units by five years to 2029 and 2030. The bill required the CEC to determine the need to extend the plant’s license to operate beyond its 2025 expiration date.
The CEC will publish additional analysis this year comparing the cost of alternatives to the cost of extending the Diablo Canyon Power Plant. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is also evaluating how the extension could impact electricity rates.