Filter by tags: Diablo Canyon Power Plant Joe Biden Clear all tag filters
2 news articles found
California’s only nuclear plant could now operate beyond 2025
The two-unit Diablo Canyon nuclear station could now remain online beyond its scheduled shutdown in 2025.
California’s last commercial nuclear power plant could get a new lease on life after the Biden administration announced the approval of up to $1.1bn (€1.07bn) in conditional funding.
The grant funds may offer a path to keeping the two-unit Diablo Canyon nuclear station online beyond its scheduled shutdown in 2025.
In June 2016, station owner and operator PG&E announced that it had reached an agreement with organised labour and environmental organisations to increase its investment in energy efficiency and storage, as well as renewables, and to close Diablo Canyon upon the expiration of the reactors’ operating licences – November 2024 for Unit 1 and August 2025 for Unit 2.
But in September 2022, California legislators voted to extend the life of the state’s last nuclear power station by five years as protection against possible blackouts – provided the federal government pays much of the cost.
The grant funds may offer a path to keeping the two-unit Diablo Canyon nuclear station online beyond its scheduled shutdown in 2025.
In June 2016, station owner and operator PG&E announced that it had reached an agreement with organised labour and environmental organisations to increase its investment in energy efficiency and storage, as well as renewables, and to close Diablo Canyon upon the expiration of the reactors’ operating licences – November 2024 for Unit 1 and August 2025 for Unit 2.
But in September 2022, California legislators voted to extend the life of the state’s last nuclear power station by five years as protection against possible blackouts – provided the federal government pays much of the cost.
Mr Newsom, a longtime proponent of shutting down the station, reversed course and embarked on a last-minute effort to extend its operation. His administration cited “unprecedented stress” on the state’s energy system as a reason for keeping open Diablo Canyon, which alone accounts for 9% of the state’s generation and 17% of its electricity from carbon-free sources.
- Source: Nucnet
- Date: Wednesday, 23 November 2022
- Original article: nucnet.org/news/diablo-canyon-gets-usd1-1-billion-to-keep-reactors-online-but-palisades-misses-out-11-2-2022
Both reactors at nuclear station scheduled to close by 2025
Diablo Canyon, midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, produces 9% of California’s electricity.
Utility Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) could receive a $1.4bn (€1.3bn) government loan to keep the Diablo Canyon nuclear power station running up to 10 years beyond its current 2025 closure date under a bill proposed by California governor Gavin Newsom.
The proposal would exempt the extension from some environmental rules and would state regulatory agencies to act quickly to clear the way for the facility’s two reactors to continue operating.
The proposal, which would have to be introduced as a bill in the state legislature, is the latest in a series of steps California has made this year to reconsider its 2016 decision to retire the Diablo Canyon power plant by 2025.
The proposal would exempt the extension from some environmental rules and would state regulatory agencies to act quickly to clear the way for the facility’s two reactors to continue operating.
The proposal, which would have to be introduced as a bill in the state legislature, is the latest in a series of steps California has made this year to reconsider its 2016 decision to retire the Diablo Canyon power plant by 2025.
Diablo Canyon, midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, produces 9% of California’s electricity. The proposal says its continued operation beyond 2025 is “critical to ensure statewide energy system reliability” as climate change stresses the energy system.
- Source: Nucnet
- Date: Thursday, 18 August 2022
- Original article: nucnet.org/news/operator-could-receive-usd1-4-billion-government-loan-to-keep-diablo-canyon-open-8-3-2022