California’s Last Nuclear Power Plant: A Closer Look
Have you ever thought about what California’s last nuclear power plant is really like?
Recently, PG&E took KQED on a tour of Diablo Canyon Power Plant. This facility, located in San Luis Obispo near the surprisingly warm waters of Diablo Cove, was slated for closure in 2022 but will remain operational at least until 2030.
The plant processes billions of gallons of water daily to cool its equipment and then releases the water at temperatures of 16 to 17 degrees Celsius, according to the agency.
Officials refer to this bay as a “de facto marine sanctuary,” with various species like sea otters, seals, stingrays, and perch inhabiting the area. Notably, it’s also home to California’s state fish, the garibaldi. Fishing and similar activities are banned within 2,000 yards of the plant, which helps protect the ecosystem.
However, the California Coastal Commission noted last year that the plant’s cooling system is responsible for the deaths of about 2 billion baby fish annually, along with other marine organisms. They expressed concern about how this loss could harm the surrounding ecosystem, emphasizing that these planktonic organisms form the base of the coastal food web.
KQED identified the area near the reactor—including the turbine deck, which houses large turbines used for electricity generation—as a “protected area.” It’s quite hot and loud there, really close to where uranium atoms split, generating an immense amount of heat.
This heat is crucial because it turns water into steam, which drives a turbine to produce electricity. Notably, Diablo Canyon accounts for around 8.5% of California’s electricity supply.
The tour also highlighted a simulator used for employee training in case of a nuclear meltdown. This space mimics the power plant’s control room, and it’s been a requirement at nuclear plants since 1979.
Still, many worries linger about the facility’s operations and safety. Linda Seeley, the Vice President of Mothers for Peace, has been vocal about her concerns for years. She’s particularly worried about the long-term effects of nuclear waste on future generations.
“I wish nuclear waste were not toxic for thousands of future generations, but unfortunately, that’s not the reality,” she remarked. The plant holds its waste in wet storage for several years before transferring it to durable dry casks that are bolted to the ground.
Mothers for Peace is dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers associated with Diablo Canyon, nuclear reactors, and radioactive waste.
They fear that the Unit 1 reactor may be at risk for meltdown, highlighting that its reactor vessel is made from faulty materials that could become brittle and break, leading to severe consequences. They pointed out that PG&E hasn’t conducted embrittlement tests in over two decades, and a waiver has been approved by the NRC.
In contrast, PG&E insists the waste is safely contained. “It’s secured, it’s inspected, it’s audited, and it’s sampled,” said Maureen Zawalik, PG&E’s senior vice president and chief risk officer. She added, “I appreciate all energy sources, but I have concerns about where things like solar panels and batteries will go once they’re no longer useful.”
Diablo Canyon is unique as the only nuclear power plant in California. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has given the green light for its continued operation until 2045, though it’s currently set to operate until 2030, pending legislative approval for the extension.
Governor Gavin Newsom welcomed the plant’s continued operation, noting that it generates about 20% of the state’s clean energy. He stated, “When Congress and I collaborated to extend Diablo Canyon’s operations beyond 2025, we aimed to support a reliable power grid and address extreme weather, which are vital for California’s future.”
While a shutdown might appease anti-nuclear groups, many cost-conscious Californians would find themselves searching for new energy alternatives.
