The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has renewed the operating licenses of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant in California for an additional 20 years.
Pacific Gas & Electric Co.’s Diablo Canyon Units 1 and 2 are pressurized-water reactors in Avila Beach, California. Unit 1’s operating license will now expire on Nov. 2, 2044, and Unit 2’s will expire on Aug. 26, 2045.
The NRC’s review of the application for renewal of the licenses addressed safety and environmental matters. Both a safety evaluation and a final supplemental environmental impact statement were issued in June 2025.
The NRC issued the renewed licenses after receiving documentation from PG&E of the required federal certifications under the Coastal Zone Management Act and the Clean Water Act.
The NRC’s safety evaluation and final supplemental environmental impact statement, as well as other information regarding the Diablo Canyon license renewal application, are available on the NRC website, which also contains general information about the license renewal process.
NCPA Calls on Legislature to Act
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval to extend operations at Diablo Canyon Power Plant “is a major milestone—but it’s not the finish line,” the Northern California Power Agency said on April 6.
“Now, the California State Legislature must act to ensure Diablo Canyon can operate beyond 2030,” it said.
“Diablo Canyon provides reliable, baseload power to millions of Californians, and accounts for 16% of California’s zero-carbon electricity. Current policy ambiguity surrounding the future of Diablo Canyon is driving up electricity costs today as we look to make long-term power supply purchases beyond 2030,” NCPA said.
Extending its life “will stabilize energy markets and support electricity affordability in the years ahead. Extending operations at Diablo Canyon is also critical to grid reliability, especially as demand continues to grow due to the proliferation of data centers, the growth of AI, and increased electrification across the state,” NCPA said.
“Momentum is building. Policymakers are increasingly recognizing the role nuclear power must play in meeting California’s future energy demand and climate goals,” NCPA added.
NCPA said it supports important efforts like AB 2647 -- legislation from Assemblymember Lisa Calderon (D-Whittier) which would update the state’s nuclear moratorium.
“With policies around offshore wind and hydrogen currently in flux, utilities need additional tools to achieve our state’s climate goals. The path forward is clear: if California is serious about reliability, affordability and decarbonization, nuclear energy is a key part of the solution.”
