Fearing more rolling blackouts in California as green energy supplies fall short, state lawmakers agreed this week to spend $1.4 billion to keep the state’s last functioning nuclear power plant running.
The state Legislature passed a bill Sept. 1, supporting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s push to reverse plans to close Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant by 2025.
The extension will allow Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), operator of the San Luis Obispo plant, to continue operating until 2030. The company agreed six years ago to shutter the plant amid pressure from environmental groups and the local community.
One of Pacific Gas and Electric’s Diablo Canyon Power Plant’s nuclear reactors in Avila Beach on California’s central coast, on Nov. 3, 2008. (Michael A. Mariant/AP Photo)
The legislation also authorizes a forgivable loan of $1.4 billion by the state to PG&E for the plant’s extended operations….