NRC Approves 20-Year Extension for Diablo Canyon Plant

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved a 20-year extension of the operating license for the Diablo Canyon Power Plant on Thursday, allowing California's sole remaining nuclear facility to continue generating power until 2045, pending further state approval beyond 2030. Located on the central coast in San Luis Obispo County, the plant provides about 9 percent of the state's electricity, enough to serve nearly 4 million residents with carbon-free energy.

The decision follows years of uncertainty for the plant, owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Originally slated for closure in 2024 and 2025, operations were extended to 2029 for Unit 1 and 2030 for Unit 2 through Senate Bill 846, passed by state lawmakers in 2022. The legislation responded to grid strains from extreme heat waves in 2020 and 2021, which highlighted the need for reliable baseload power amid California's push for 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2045. To support the extension, the state provided a $1.4 billion loan to PG&E for upgrades and relicensing, backed by federal guarantees.

The NRC's approval marks the culmination of a rigorous process, including exemptions from standard application...