The Central Coast’s Diablo Canyon Power Plant got a lifeline in proposals to keep it operating.
The State Legislature approved a $1.4 billion loan to PG&E, as it waits to find out if it may get money from a new federal program to keep nuclear plants operating.
Plans have been calling for the plant to fully close in 2025. The shutdown was prompted in part by new environmental guidelines which would forced PG&E to make expensive environmental upgrades to keep the facility operating.
But, Governor Gavin Newsom and others have called for an extension. They say while green power is the long term answer, the capacity isn’t there yet to meet all of the state’s energy needs. The idea is to extend the life of the plant to give energy providers time to get more renewable energy sources online.
Some environmental groups are unhappy with the plan, citing seismic concerns tied to earthquake faults near the plat. They also say it will also add to the nuclear waste disposal issue.
