Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) plans to shut down the Diablo Canyon Power Plant by 2025 in an attempt to phase out California’s production of nuclear power.
PG&E announced a joint proposal— in conjunction with labor and leading environmental organizations— today in which the company will increase investment in energy efficiency, renewable power and electricity storage. The proposal must be approved by the California Public Utilities Commission by Dec. 31, 2017 before going into effect.
The joint proposal consists of PG&E, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1245, Coalition of California Utility Employees, Friends of the Earth, Natural Resources Defense Council, Environment California and Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility.
The joint proposal will replace power produced by two nuclear reactors at Diablo Canyon with a more cost-effective and greenhouse gas free solution.
PG&E Corporation Chairman, CEO and President Tony Earley said in a PG&E press release that due to California’s changing energy landscape, Diablo Canyon’s output is no longer required.
In 2025, PG&E will not pursue license renewal at the expiration of its current Nuclear Regulator Commission operating licenses for the nuclear power plant.