California Extends Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant Operations to 2030

Despite concerns over high costs and potential safety issues, regulators aim to preserve zero-emission power supply.

California energy regulators have voted to extend the operation of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant through 2030, extending the life span of the state’s last nuclear plant an additional five years.
The decision is expected to preserve a large bloc of the state’s zero-emission power supply but raises concerns over the high cost and potential safety issues associated with operating an aging nuclear power plant.
The costs associated with the plan are still unknown but are expected to exceed $6 billion.
Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who once was a leading voice to close the plant, said last year that Diablo Canyon’s power is needed beyond 2025 to ward off possible blackouts as California transitions to solar and other renewable energy sources.
Activists condemned the extension and noted that the projected costs of continuing to run the aging plant are expected to top $6 billion.