HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/3/2026 Item 5h, Pease
Andy Pease <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Diablo Canyon Power Plant letter
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
Thank you for your thoughtful deliberation about the Diablo Canyon Power Plant. I appreciate your recognition of
the complexities of the topic, and I support your decision to offer a separate letter to the legislature.
Below, I submit for your consideration some additional wording to address the topic of continued operation of the
plant itself. A few years ago, I strongly supported extending the plant operation for just five years while we
expanded renewable energy to meet current needs. Over the past few months, however, I have come to recognize
that we are not on track to meet our electricity loads due to increased power demands for data centers, decreased
support for renewable energy at the federal level and general cost escalation of new construction. Recognizing
that reality, continued electric generation from Diablo would be far superior to coal-fired plants or fracking for
methane gas if needed.
Here is potential wording for a fourth principle to add to your letter:
Cost-effective Electricity Generation: We believe that renewable energy such as wind and solar energy
are safer and likely more cost-effective approaches to carbon-free electricity than nuclear energy. At the
same time, we understand there are many factors that contribute to the long-term viability of significant
power generation and energy storage investments and that a broad array of options should stay on the
table. In the current environment, we support consideration of extending the use of Diablo Canyon Nuclear
Power Plant up to 20 years as one of the potential options for meeting California’s clean energy
commitment.
Thank you for your time.
Andy Pease
1