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Diablo Canyon's continued operation cited as short-term reliability buffer; agencies outline path toward replacements
Summary
CEC and CPUC staff told the Senate subcommittee that keeping Diablo Canyon online helps mitigate near-term reliability risks while the state pursues long-duration storage, geothermal and offshore wind as replacements; staffing requests reflect long-term shutdown and oversight duties.
Senate subcommittee members pressed CEC and CPUC staff on Diablo Canyon power plant operations, the near-term reliability impact of the plant and the state's path to alternatives.
CEC and CPUC staff said the system's near-term reliability outlook is favorable but subject to uncertainties (hydro conditions, extreme heat events, transmission constraints). Both agencies said Diablo Canyon's 2,000+ MW baseload contribution materially reduces near-term risk. Energy division staff said their integrated-resource planning shows the system will be reliable through modeled years if projected resources come online, but acknowledged that outages, low hydro and transmission constraints could change the picture.
Legislative context and implementation steps - SB 846 and subsequent direction: the legislature previously authorized actions connected with Diablo Canyon's extension and required monitoring and reporting. Agencies reported they have statutory duties tied to the plant's extended operations and to prepare for eventual shutdown and decommissioning activities that can span decades. - Replacement resources and procurement: agencies cited AB 1373'related central procurement tools (decision in 2024) and said the state is targeting long-duration energy storage, geothermal and offshore wind in procurement portfolios that mirror baseload profiles. - Staffing and long-term oversight: CEC requested modest ongoing staffing for quarterly reliability reporting and load-flex updates; CPUC requested conversion of limited-term positions to permanent status to manage long-term oversight responsibilities tied to the plant and to system planning.
Safety questions and committee probing Senators asked about seismic and other safety concerns and whether the independent advisory safety committee had raised issues. CPUC/CEC staff said the independent safety committee (including seismic and engineering experts) has not reported evidence of safety problems and the committee would surface such findings to the public and regulators if they arose.
Ending: Agencies said they will continue to model reliability risks, coordinate across commissions and provide follow-ups on procurement, timelines and the interplay between Diablo Canyon operations and the transmission, storage and geothermal procurement efforts. No committee votes were taken at the hearing.
