NRC Approves License Extension for Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant, Ensuring Continued Energy Supply
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has granted a 20-year extension to the operating license of California's Diablo Canyon Power Plant. This decision allows the plant, operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E), to continue functioning into the 2040s, contingent upon state legislative approval for operations beyond 2030. The plant, which began operations in 1985, is a significant source of California's electricity, providing about 9% of the state's total and 20% of its emissions-free energy. The NRC's decision follows a comprehensive three-year review process involving multiple state and regional agencies. PG&E had initially planned to retire the plant's units by 2025, but legislative changes in 2022, driven by energy reliability concerns, have extended its operational timeline. 
