Keep Diablo open until 2045? Nuclear debate heats up today in SLO County | Opinion

The Tribune Editorial Board
·4 min read

A showdown of sorts is expected at today’s San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors meeting.

The board is scheduled to vote on a controversial resolution in support of keeping Diablo Canyon — California’s last nuclear power plant — operating for 20 more years.

Keep in mind, the board has no power over how long Diablo Canyon remains open. That’s up to other agencies, including the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the state of California.

Yet the resolution, toothless as it is, is a big deal to Diablo Canyon watchers.

“Although the Board has no authority over this decision, it has INFLUENCE,” Mothers for Peace, an anti-Diablo organization, emailed its supporters.

A preview of the future?

The hearing, which is expected to attract both foes and friends of Diablo, could be a preview of what will be in store should the 20-year plan move forward.

For months, there have been rumors that PG&E might want to keep the plant open beyond 2030, but lately the talk has become more serious. Last month, a PG&E official told the Diablo Canyon Independent Safety Committee that PG&E’s “strong intent (is) to be able to proceed past 2030.”

Around the same time, the Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to put a resolution of support on the agenda. The effort was led by Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg, a former PG&E employee.

A Democrat, Ortiz-Legg, ordinarily votes along with her liberal colleagues, Supervisors Bruce Gibson and Jimmy Paulding.

Not on this issue.

Gibson and Paulding said it would be premature to support keeping the aging plant open 20 more years when it’s yet to be approved to remain open for even five more years. But Ortiz-Legg cited the advantages, including the possibility of more tax revenue flowing into the coffers of local agencies.

County Supervisors John Peschong and Debbie Arnold joined her in moving the resolution forward.

Ties to PG&E

In addition to working for PG&E, Ortiz-Legg has received multiple campaign contributions from the utility — $4,000 in 2022 and $200 this year. While that may raise questions about a conflict of interest, it’s perfectly legal.

A new state law that took effect in 2023, SB 1439, does prohibit elected officials from voting on certain matters if they accepted donations from the applicant. However, that kicks in only if the donation is over $250 and only if the application is for a “permit, license or entitlement.” A resolution is none of those things.

SLO County Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg spoke at a clean energy rally in 2021 that called for keeping the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant open.
SLO County Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg spoke at a clean energy rally in 2021 that called for keeping the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant open.

In supporting the long-term, continued operation of Diablo Canyon, Ortiz-Legg isn’t just breaking with her Democratic colleagues. She’s also at odds with state Sen. John Laird, a Democrat whose district includes Diablo.

Laird, who played a role in negotiating the agreement to extend the life of the plant until 2030, has advised against passing the proposed resolution. He sent a strongly word letter to the board — one of the rare times a local state lawmaker has asked a local agency to back off.

Here are some of his reasons:

  • A safety analysis of the Unit 1 reactor won’t be completed until 2025, and results won’t be available until 2026.

  • There is a financial risk to California ratepayers and taxpayers.

  • The California Coastal Commission has not signed off on a permit.

  • Continued operation of Diablo Canyon could hinder the development of offshore wind.

  • Issues surrounding the plant’s once-though cooling system — which dumps heated water into Diablo Cove — have not been resolved.

“In short, many of the issues that might be involved in additional fifteen-year extension have not even been resolved yet for the five-year extension,” he wrote.

We agree.

Perhaps California may require Diablo Canyon’s power beyond 2030 to wean itself off fossil fuels. But absent more information, committing to support keeping the plant open 20 more years — even in the form of a resolution — is irresponsible.

The residents of San Luis Obispo County deserve leaders who will carefully weigh pros and cons as information becomes available — not cheerleaders for an investor-owned utility with a safety record that’s far from spotless.

We strongly urge the Board of Supervisors to follow Sen. Laird’s recommendation and set aside the resolution until it has the information needed to make an informed decision.