Monning calls for economic study on closing Diablo Canyon

February 10, 2016

Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power PlantState Sen. Bill Monning (D-Carmel) has introduced a bill that would require officials to begin planning for the economic repercussions of closing the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant.

Diablo Canyon’s current licenses expire in 2024 and 2025. While PG&E is expected to apply for relicensing, there is increasing pressure to shut down the nuclear power plant.

Late last year, lieutenant governor and gubernatorial candidate, Gavin Newsom, predicted the plant would close by the time its current licenses expire.

Monning, whose district includes San Luis Obispo County, introduced SB 968 on Monday, according to a press release issued by his office.

SB 968 would require PG&E to compile an assessment of the adverse economic impacts to San Luis Obispo County that would occur if Diablo Canyon were to shut down temporarily or permanently. The bill would also require an independent third party to determine if temporary or permanent closure of the power plant would result in a decrease in local tax revenues and a decrease in the local workforce, as well as whether there would be indirect economic losses.

According to Monning, Diablo Canyon has approximately 1,483 employees, and PG&E is the largest property taxpayer in SLO County. PG&E paid more than $25 million in SLO County property taxes in 2014, much of which was attributable to power plant operations, the press release states.

Senator Bill Monning

Senator Bill Monning

It is estimated that the San Luis Coastal school district receives more than $10 million, or about 16 percent of its operating budget, from PG&E taxes.

Monning’s bill would also require a third party to identify contingency plans that could mitigate economic impacts to local entities. The information gathered could then be used to develop an economic mitigation strategy.

“The Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant is a major employer and taxpayer in San Luis Obispo County, and no one can say with any certainty if it will continue to operate in the long-term,” Monning said. “The region’s economy is reliant on the plant, and it is critical that we have information about the potential adverse economic impacts that could occur if Diablo Canyon closes either temporarily or permanently.”

A previous report commissioned by PG&E concluded Diablo Canyon contributes approximately $920 million annually to the economies of SLO County and northern Santa Barbara County and generates 22 percent of the electricity that PG&E supplies across California. The Nuclear Energy Institute and Cal Poly’s Orfalea College of Business authored the report.


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If you truly cared about the environment you would support nuclear. If you truly want to know what will happen to the environment check out this link: savediablocanyon.org and Pandora’s Promise (it’s on the site or Netflix)


Simple math, close Diablo and instantly add co2 emissions equivalent to 2 million cars and say goodbye to the pristine coastlines currently protected by the plant and pg&e.


And if you think it will be replaced by solar power you are dreaming. San Onfre was replaced almost entirely by natural gas generated through fracking.


You obviously know little about nuclear and pg&e. Pg&e has multiple divisions of which nuclear and gas distribution are distinctly separate. The federal bodies which govern these two divisions are also separate entities unless the nuclear regulatory commission (nrc) now has power over non-radioactive power sources. Nuclear and natural gas are not governed by the federal agencies and nuclear safety is far stricter and rigorous then natural gas.


Your statement is as rational as saying: a train derailed today…airplanes are no longer safe.


Your other point about the fine just shows how little you care about telling a full or even half truths for that matter. Pg&e is currently undergoing a criminal trial as well. It is also very debatable whether the fined amount was reasonable. Granted a fine was justified.


I’d suggest you attempt to use some more facts next time.


I bet you also think 100% solar is the way to go. In that case I hope you like drinking lead and arsenic contaminated water from solar panels, which crack during disposal and then leach these lovely additives into our limited fresh water supply.


Hey Shill,


I am not arguing environmentalism or the “bottom line.”


I am saying that this county is not economically viable absent the income frome the plant.


Before Diablo and after Prop 13, this county could not maintain roads properly, yhe schools and the sheriff’s department laid staff off.


The main employers are PG&E, CMC, and county government. Only one generates revenue to support the other two.


But, lets close Diablo and see what happens. I am sure our wineries, hotels and small businesses (<300 employees) will be able to support our schools, roads, parks, hospitals, fire, police, courts and social services ranging from Hospice, Adult Protective Services and Child Welfare.


The only thing that can bancrubt the area including all home owners is a incident at Diablo Canyon.


That plant is designed in the freakin 60s and as safe as anything else from that period, to close it is the right thing to do.


http://money.cnn.com/2011/03/25/news/economy/nuclear_accident_costs/


corrupt PG&E blew up a neighborhood and people LOST their lives due to their negligence in san bruno concerning a gas pipeline. they took people LIVES and all they did was pay a FINE.


is this seriously the group you think should be running a NUCLEAR POWER PLANT?


That is correct!