‍ ‍FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Open Letter: Dozens of Local Elected Officials Urge California Legislators to Extend Operations at Diablo Canyon this Legislative Session

Sacramento, CA – 54 local elected officials throughout California, and particularly from the Central Coast, have signed on to an open letter calling for lawmakers to pass a bill to extend Diablo Canyon Power Plant this year. Diablo Canyon, the only operating nuclear power plant in California, is set to shut down operations in 2030 unless state lawmakers step in.

The letter, delivered to legislative offices yesterday, explains how extending Diablo Canyon is a tangible solution to California’s affordability crisis, highlighting findings from a recent MIT study showing that keeping the plant open through 2045 could save ratepayers $1.3 billion annually. It’s imperative that the Legislature act now because each year they delay raises costs for Californians.

“We’ve heard from our constituents that affordability is a top-of-mind concern, and extending Diablo Canyon’s operations this year is one of the most impactful actions state legislators can take to address this crisis,” said El Cerrito Mayor Gabe Quinto. “We encourage them to act as soon as possible to ensure we are able to meet our climate goals and lower costs for Californians.”

Diablo Canyon delivers constant, carbon-free power to more than 4 million residents daily. It supplies about 9% of the state’s total electricity and can safely support California’s transition to renewable energy while avoiding harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Diablo Canyon also strengthens San Luis Obispo County’s economy during this period of adaptation.

“Diablo Canyon is the Central Coast's largest private employer, providing more than 1,200 jobs and supporting local families, businesses, and communities across San Luis Obispo County,” said San Luis Obispo Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg. “Extending its operation protects those benefits while providing the reliable clean energy California needs to meet its climate goals.”

These local elected officials are members of the Diablo Canyon 2045 coalition with 25 others and 47 organizations around the state. Titles associated with elected officials are for identification purposes only.

Recent independent reports from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Westinghouse have certified that Diablo Canyon is safe to operate through 2045. The full letter can be found below.

About Diablo Canyon 2045: Diablo Canyon 2045 is a coalition of 47 organizations, 79 local elected officials, and 2 County Boards of Supervisors that have joined together to urge lawmakers to extend Diablo Canyon Power Plant to 2045 to save Californians more than $1 billion per year and support California’s transition to clean energy.
‍ ‍

For more information, visit http://diablocanyon2045.com.

‍

‍