Legislation to mitigate impact of Diablo closure approved by Assembly committee
–On Thursday, Senate Bill (SB) 1090, authored by Senator Bill Monning (D-Carmel) and Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham (R-San Luis Obispo), to mitigate the impact of the Diablo Canyon plant closure, passed out of the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee.
“I want to thank my Assembly colleagues for supporting SB 1090 in committee,” Senator Monning said. “The community has assumed the public safety risk of hosting Diablo Canyon, while all PG&E customers have realized the benefits of its operation over the past several decades. SB 1090 ensures that Diablo Canyon operates safely and reliably for the remainder of its license period, and provides a bridge of predictability and security to the greater San Luis Obispo region.”
“SB 1090 is necessary to ensure that Diablo Canyon remains operational through 2025 and continues to provide us with safe, dependable, clean energy,” said Assemblyman Cunningham. “It’s critical for our local economy, our state’s energy grid, and our communities. I am grateful that the Utilities and Energy Committee passed the bill on a bipartisan vote and will continue to work hard to see it become law.”
For years, Diablo Canyon has provided an emissions-free energy supply to consumers – making up 10-percent of the state’s energy portfolio. Additionally, the plant contributes an estimated $1 billion to the economy, including thousands of jobs.
The measure calls on the CPUC to approve elements of the Joint Proposal, as modified by the community impact mitigation settlement, which was submitted as part of the Diablo retirement application; requires the CPUC to approve the community impact mitigation settlement of $85 million; directs the CPUC to manage its integrated resource plan to ensure that there is no increase in greenhouse gas emissions as a result of the retirement of Diablo Canyon; and requires the CPUC to approve full funding of the $350 million employee retention program.
SB 1090 will be heard next in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.
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