NRC Renews Diablo Canyon License Through 2045

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved a 20-year license renewal for the Diablo Canyon Power Plant on April 3, 2026. The decision allows the two-unit facility to operate through November 2044 and August 2045, reversing previous plans by Pacific Gas & Electric to decommission the plant by 2025.

While federal approval is secured, current California state law only authorizes operations through 2030. Continued operation beyond that date requires further approval from the California Legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom. The facility provides approximately 9% to 10% of California's total electricity and roughly 20% of its carbon-free power.

The renewal follows a shift in state policy in 2022, when Governor Newsom intervened to prevent blackouts caused by extreme heat waves. To support the extension, the state approved a $1.4 billion loan to the utility, backed by the Biden administration. The plant also recently cleared regulatory hurdles with the California Coastal Commission and the Central Coast Regional Water Board.

Supporters, including U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal, argue the plant is essential for grid reliability during energy market uncertainty. Conversely, the Committee to Bridge the Gap and other anti-nuclear groups oppose the extension, citing seismic hazards and environmental concerns regarding cooling water use. The NRC maintained that the plant remains safe from potential earthquakes.