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Home My WebLink About2/3/2026 Item 5h, Olson Garret Olson <garret@slochamber.org> Sent:Friday, January To:E-mail Council Website Subject:Council correspondence re: Consent Agenda Item 5h Attachments:2026.01.29 SLO Chamber Letter to City Council re DCPP.pdf Dear Mayor and Council, Attached please ﬁnd correspondence from the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce regarding Consent Agenda Item 5h on the February 3, 2026, City Council Agenda, “Approve a Draft Letter to Legislators Regarding Diablo Canyon Power Plant.” We hope you will pull this item from the consent agenda to provide an opportunity for the Council to consider the Chamber’s perspective before taking action. Respectfully yours, Garret Olson Garret Olson President & CEO O: 805-786-2761 M: 805-206-7228 E: garret@slochamber.org 895 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Exploring what’s possible! 1 Garret Olson President/CEO 895 Monterey St. San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 805.786.2761 slochamber.org Page 1 of 3 January 29, 2026 Honorable Mayor Erica Stewart and Members of the City Council City of San Luis Obispo 990 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Re: Support for Extended Operations of Diablo Canyon Power Plant Dear Mayor Stewart and Councilmembers: On behalf of the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, we write to respectfully urge the San Luis Obispo City Council to reconsider its decision not to sign the letter put forward by the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors on December 16, 2025, in support of the continued operation of Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP), the reinstatement of the unitary tax, and coastal land conservation. We understand the City's desire for public engagement and participation in drafting such important communications. However, we believe the merits of supporting DCPP's extended operations are compelling and warrant the City's endorsement of the County's letter. Diablo Canyon Power Plant represents an irreplaceable asset in California's clean energy infrastructure, providing nearly 10% of the state's total electricity generation, all of which is carbon-free. At a time when California faces mounting challenges in meeting its ambitious climate goals while ensuring grid reliability and energy affordability, DCPP stands as a proven solution. The plant generates clean, baseload power 24 hours a day, 3 65 days a year, complementing renewable energy sources that are interm ittent by nature. The loss of this facility would create a significant gap in our state's ability to deliver reliable, carbon -free electricity to millions of Californians, including residents and businesses right here in San Luis Obispo County. Safety has been and continues to be paramount at Diablo Canyon. The plant operates under the rigorous oversight of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which conducts regular inspections and continuously monitors all aspects of plant operations. Most r ecently, the NRC has determined that Diablo Canyon is safe to operate for an additional 20 years, a determination made only after extensive review of the plant's systems, safety protocols, and operational readiness. This independent, expert assessment prov ides strong assurance that DCPP can continue to safely generate clean energy for our community and state. The plant's impeccable safety record over more than four decades of operation, combined with ongoing investments in maintenance, upgrades, and workforce training, demonstrates PG&E's commitment to operational excellence and public safety. The economic value of Diablo Canyon to San Luis Obispo County cannot be overstated. As the Docusign Envelope ID: C7E7708E-E765-4D8F-9A02-171F8F15F23D Page 2 of 3 largest private employer in our region, DCPP supports more than 1,300 head -of-household jobs, which are high-quality, well-paying positions that anchor our local economy. These jobs support families, sustain local businesses, generate tax revenue for public services, and contribute to the economic vitality of our entire community. The closure of Diablo Canyo n would trigger significant economic disruption, with ripple effects extending across multiple sectors and impacting local government revenues, school f unding, and community services. Conversely, extending DCPP's operations would preserve these economic benefits and provide stability for workers, families, and businesses throughout the region. We were pleased that during the January 20, 2026, City Council meeting, Councilmembers expressed support for the reinstatement of the unitary tax. If not for continued operations, this vital funding source would not be a reality. The removal of this tax has had a substantial and ongoing negative impact on our local school districts, reducing resources available for students , and creating uncertainty in long-term educational planning. Our schools have experienced diminished funding and increased challenges i n providing the quality education our children deserve. These impacts directly affect not only current students but also the strength and preparedness of our future workforce. Reinstating the unitary tax through state legislation is essential to restoring fiscal fairness and stability for our educational institutions . The County's letter appropriately addresses this critical need, and we believe the City of San Luis Obispo should join in advocating for this important remedy as one of many beneficial economic outcomes of supporting continued operations. The County Board of Supervisors' letter reflects a unified, regional approach to issues that profoundly affect all residents of San Luis Obispo County, including the citizens of the City of San Luis Obispo. We recognize that the timeline for reviewing and signing the County's letter was compressed, and we appreciate the City's commitment to thoughtful deliberation and public engagement. However, we respectfully submit that the case for supporting Diablo Canyon's extended operations is strong, well-documented, and aligned with both regional economic interests and statewide climate objectives. The benefits of clean energy generation, economic stability, regulatory safety assurance, and educational funding restoration serve the intere sts of all our communities and align with the City’s Major City Goals including goals related to “Open Space, Climate Action and Resilience” and “Economic Resilience and Fiscal Sustainability.” We respectfully urge the City Council to reconsider its position and add the City of San Luis Obispo's voice to the County's letter supporting extended operations at Diablo Canyon. By doing so, the City would stand alongside every other local jurisdiction in presenting a unified regional voice – one that carries the collective weight needed for the State Legislature to approve continued clean energy production, critical funding for local schools, and coastal land conservation. Thank you for your consideration of this important matter. Respectfully submitted, Garret Olson, President & CEO, San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce Docusign Envelope ID: C7E7708E-E765-4D8F-9A02-171F8F15F23D Page 3 of 3 This letter reflects the position of the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Executive Committee Signatories Aaryn Abbott Chair of the Board June McIvor Immediate Past Chair of the Board Mary Gardner Vice-Chair, Legislative Affairs Lief McKay Vice-Chair, Economic Development Eric Yun Vice-Chair, Membership Services Mike Quamma Treasurer Beth Marino Secretary Michelle McCovey-Good Leadership SLO Liaison Additional Board Signatories Jeff Thoma John Tricamo Laura Mullen Leann Standish Megan Souza Michael Chen Ryan Ashlock Val Vaz Ziyad Naccasha Docusign Envelope ID: C7E7708E-E765-4D8F-9A02-171F8F15F23D