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Senator calls for assessment of Diablo Power Plant closure 

Diablo CanyonBill to determine economic impact of Diablo Canyon closure goes to governor’s desk

– Legislation to help assess the economic impact of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant closure, Senate Bill (SB) 968, passed out of the California Legislature and now moves to the Governor for his consideration.

The bill, authored by Senator Bill Monning (D-Carmel) and co-authored by Assemblymember Katcho Achadjian, calls for an assessment of the adverse and beneficial economic impacts facing San Luis Obispo County once the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant shuts down, and will offer potential mitigation actions for anticipated adverse impacts.

“Diablo Canyon has been a major economic engine in the region for more than 30 years and with its closure now imminent, the community needs to know the risks and benefits that may lie ahead,” Senator Monning said. “This bill will help the community assess how best to address its needs in the years ahead, as well as the needs of the plant’s workers.”

Diablo Canyon has approximately 1,483 employees and Pacific Gas & Electric is the largest property taxpayer in San Luis Obispo County, paying more than $25 million in property taxes in 2014, with much of this attributable to the operation of the plant, according to Monning. It is estimated that the San Luis Coastal Unified School District receives more than $10 million in taxes from the plant which represents 12-percent of its operating revenue.

The bill requires an independent third party to complete the economic assessment and identify contingency plans that could mitigate any adverse economic impacts to local entities.

“This legislation will help the local community address the funding gap for the county and school districts once Diablo Canyon closes,” said Assemblymember Katcho Achadjian, coauthor of SB 968. “The report commissioned in this legislation will be crucial in the way our community navigates the economic impact of the closure.”

On June 21, PG&E announced that it would not seek license renewals necessary to operate Diablo Canyon, and that the plant would close after the license for Unit 2 expires in August 2025.

 

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