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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-23-2016 Item 1, ManchakCOUNCIL MEETING: C' �l Z31 Zn ITEM NO.: Economic Vitality Corporation WC of San Luis Obispo County 735 Tank Farm Road, Suite 264 ECONOMIC VITALITY CORP San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 TEL (805) 788-2012 FAX (805) 781-6293 info@sloevc.org www.sloevc.org 501(c)(3) Non -Profit June 23, 2016 Via email to CSLC.Commissionmeetings@sic.ca.gov Ms. Betty T. Yee Chair, California State Lands Commission 100 Howe Avenue, Suite 100 South Sacramento, CA 95825 RE: SUPPORT EXTENSION OF CALIFORNIA STATE LANDS COMMISSION LEASE FOR DIABLO CANYON Dear Chairperson Yee, On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Economic Vitality Corporation of San Luis Obispo County (EVC), the voice of the countywide business community with active involvement from senior leadership in every private industry sector and public jurisdiction, we hereby express our strong support for the extension of the California State Lands Commission lease for ocean intake and outfall that support cooling procedures at Diablo Canyon Power Plan (DCPP) from its expiration in 2018 to 2025. For decades PG&E and Diablo Canyon Power Plant have played a critical role in the economy of San Luis Obispo County and its regional neighbors, with an economic impact of over $1 billion each year. PG&E is the largest private employer in the county, with wages for its employees amounting to more than $235 million. Thousands of our community members have built their livelihood around the operation, whether by virtue of being employed by PG&E or by relying on the local expenditures, tax revenues and property taxes that are a result of its presence in our county. The loss of DCPP impacts not only the uniquely skilled employees who will have difficulty finding a job on the Central Coast that utilizes their talent, but also the children in our local schools who rely on property tax funding for their education, and the business owners who depend on the direct and indirect revenues generated by PG&E. Such impacts may be mitigated through thorough analysis and targeted economic rejuvenation efforts if given the necessary time to succeed. If the California State Lands Commission lease is not extended, DCPP will cease all operations in 2018, thereby rendering the community only two years to plan for the effects of the closure and causing a Keeping SLO County Business Vital Page 2 of 2 sudden and devastating effect on our economy. The extension of the lease to 2025 gives local government and business leaders a critical nine years to actively pursue ways to mitigate the nearly insurmountable effects of the closure of DCPP, and develop a strategy that ensures the stability of our local economy and the livelihood of our community members. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any comments or questions. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Michael E. Manchak President & CEO (805)788-2013 mmanchakPsloevc.org cc: Gavin Newsom, Lieutenant Governor Bill Monning, Senator, California State Senate Katcho Achadjian, Assembly Member, California State Assembly Jennifer Lucchesi, Executive Director, California State Lands Commission Papia Gambelin, Director of Government Relations, PG&E Tom Jones, Director, Corporate Affairs, PG&E Bruce Ray, Chair, EVC Board of Directors Members, EVC Board of Directors Keeping SLO County Business Vital