California regulators vote to extend Diablo Canyon nuclear plant operations through 2030
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (AP) California energy regulators voted Thursday to allow the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant to operate for an additional five years, despite calls from environmental groups to shut it down.
The California Public Utilities Commission agreed to extend the shutdown date for the states last functioning nuclear power facility through 2030 instead of closing it in 2025 as previously agreed.
Separately, the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission will consider whether to extend the plants operating licenses.
The twin reactors, located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, began operating in the mid-1980s. They supply up to 9% of the states electricity on any given day.
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https://apnews.com/article/diablo-canyon-nuclear-plant-california-b794aa745348ae1ac6e8e5c330a11cd9
This is a win for California's natural environment and the stability of its electric grid.
Realistically, if the plant was closed, most of the load would be picked up by filthy natural gas power plants.
In the past year 46% of California's electricity came from natural gas power plants which are responsible for 95% of the greehouse gas emissions from all its electrical power sources.