Newsom won’t extend Diablo Canyon operations past 2030

August 10, 2026

Gov. Gavin Newsom

By KAREN VELIE

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday he will not work to renew licenses to keep Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant in San Luis Obispo County operating beyond 2030. With less than six months left in office, Newsom said he will leave that decision up to the next administration.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced in April it had approved the renewal of the operating licenses of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant for an additional 20 years. However, the renewal plan requires state approval.

If the renewal is approved by Newsom and the California Legislature, PG&E’s operating licenses for the Unit 1 and Unit 2 reactors will expire on Nov. 2, 2044 and Aug. 26, 2045 respectively.

Newsom’s announcement comes shortly after a group of government officials sent Newsom a letter asking him and the state legislature to approve a license extension for Diablo Canyon.

“As elected officials throughout California, we represent our constituents’ interests, and what we have been hearing loud and clear is that they want immediate action from lawmakers addressing affordability,” according to the Aug. 4 letter. “That is why we are writing to encourage the Legislature to extend Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP) operations to 2045 this year.”

Previously, PG&E had planned to shut down the nuclear power plant in 2025. However, the utility received backing from both federal and state officials for extending the operating life of Diablo Canyon with the goal of providing Californians reliable electricity.

Following the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s April announcement, Newsom issued a statement commending the approval of the Diablo Canyon license renewals.

“Today, I welcome the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s approval as we continue California’s clean energy transition, creating good-paying jobs, fighting climate change, and cementing the Golden State as a global powerhouse,” Newsom said in April.