Gov. Gavin Newsom said it may delay the planned closure of California’s last nuclear power plant. Faced with possible power outages, the Democratic governor on Friday raised the possibility that the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant will continue to operate beyond the planned closure until 2025. First speaking to the Los Angeles Times editorial board on Thursday, Newsom backed the idea that the owner of the Pacific Gas & Electric plant could claim a $ 6 billion stake in federal funding set up by the Biden government earlier last month to support continued operation of nuclear reactors in danger of shutdown. PG&E AGREES ON $ 55 MILLION AGREEMENT FOR CALIFORNIA FIRE, AVOIDING CRIMINAL PROSECUTION
The government has advertised US nuclear reactors as “the nation’s largest source of clean energy.” California Gavin Newsom Discusses the Impact of Drought on Electricity Generation After His Tour at the Edward Hyatt Power Plant at Oroville Dam, Oroville, California, Tuesday, April 19, 2022. (AP Photo / Rich Pedroncelli, Archive) / Associated Press) Newsom, which does not have direct authority over the Diablo Canyon license, said the state will continue to apply to the U.S. Department of Energy by May 19 so as not to miss the opportunity to raise federal funds. for possible keeping the plant open more. “It would be an omission not to put it on the table as an option,” the governor said. “The Governor supports keeping all the options on the table to ensure that we have a reliable (electricity) network,” said Erin Mellon, a spokeswoman for the company. “This includes the possibility of expansion into the Diablo Gorge, which continues to be an important resource as we move to clean energy.” This November 3, 2008 file photo shows one of the nuclear reactors at Pacific Gas and Electric’s Diablo Canyon power plant in Avila Beach, California (AP Photo / Michael A. Mariant, File) / Associated Press) The Newsom office stressed that “in the long run”, the governor continues to support the closure of Diablo Canyon as the state moves towards renewable energy. In 2016, PG&E agreed to close the plant, located on a coastal bluff over the Pacific between Los Angeles and San Francisco, by 2025 instead of undertaking costly environmental and safety upgrades from earthquakes. demand activists and trade unionists. The company’s decision six years ago acknowledged that “California’s new energy policies will significantly reduce the Diablo Canyon electricity generation need,” but Newsom’s recent proposal indicates that California still does not have enough reliable energy sources for its approximately 40 million population, as the state has. is gradually shifting to solar, wind and other renewable energy sources. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT FOX BUSINESS It was not immediately clear whether PG&E would consider reversing its course to seek federal dollars to stay open beyond the scheduled closure. “We are always open to consider all options to ensure continuous safe, reliable and clean energy delivery to our customers,” PG&E spokeswoman Suzanne Hosn told the Associated Press in an email. The Associated Press contributed to this report.