New California law extends PG&E’s Diablo Canyon Power Plant operations another five years

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) will be able to run the Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP) to 2030, following an extension approval on its 2025 license expiration granted by the California State Legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom last week.

However, as the plant is nuclear, it will also need approval for licensing from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, on top of other required state regulatory approvals. Under the law approved by the state, though, all relevant state agencies and PG&E have been directed to coordinate and move at speed to extend plant operations. It is viewed as a means to improve California’s energy system reliability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions until additional renewable energy, and carbon-free resources can be brought online.

“PG&E is committed to California’s clean energy future,” PG&E CEO Patti Pope said. “As a regulated utility, we follow the energy policies of the state. We are proud of the role Diablo Canyon plays in providing safe, reliable, low-cost, and carbon-free energy to our customers and Californians. We will do our part to help the state achieve its energy reliability and decarbonization goals while continuing to run one of the top performing plants in the country.”

DCPP can generate up to 2,200 MW of baseline electricity. Currently, it provides approximately 17 percent of the state’s no-emissions electricity supply and 8.6 percent of its total electricity. Further, as a result of the new legislation, the state will authorize an up to $1.4 billion loan to help extend the plant’s operations.

To support these efforts, PG&E also requested federal funding through the DOE’s Civil Nuclear Credit program. The state directed the company to secure funding from federal sources to pay back the state loan and lower customer costs.