PG&E’s Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant has been under assault for years from a variety of state and federal agencies, as well as a handful of committed opponents. Last year, IBEW 1245 succeeded in fending off a legal effort seeking to close the plant, but the threats to Diablo Canyon’s continued operation have continued to mount, and IBEW Local 1245 remains steadfastly committed to do everything in its power to keep the plant up and running.
Diablo Canyon is one of the biggest economic drivers in San Luis Obispo County, and thousands of residents and businesses depend on it as a key source of quality jobs and revenue. More than 1,500 workers — including 600 IBEW 1245 members — are employed at Diablo Canyon, making it the largest creator of jobs in the San Luis Obispo area. The plant’s operation tax base helps fund everything from public safety to schools, and plays a key role in the economic stability of the region.
Diablo Canyon is also a vital part of California’s clean energy future. As the largest generator of local, greenhouse-gas-free power in the state, Diablo Canyon provides much of the critical baseline power that California needs to meet its Climate Action goals, which is particularly important given the state’s rapidly changing electricity supply. If Diablo Canyon were to close, the sudden loss of the 2,240 MW produced there would inevitably cause a significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions to replace this baseline power. We saw this occur when the San Onofre Nuclear plant in southern California was first curtailed and then shut down several years ago. The Grid operators had to find replacement power, which ended up coming from fossil fuel generation sourced mostly from older, dirtier plants that were forced back into production.
Keeping Diablo Canyon open is fundamental to IBEW Local 1245. The union is engaging directly with several state agencies, the State Lands Commission, the Coastal Commission, the State Water Board and the CPUC as part of our ongoing fight to keep the plant open. We have also met directly with the Governor and his aides, as well as members of these Commissions, to lobby for the continued operation of Diablo Canyon.
Additionally, Local 1245 is organizing locally in San Luis Obispo County to build a broad coalition of labor, community and environmental advocacy and support around Diablo Canyon. To get involved with this effort, please contact Local 1245 Business Rep Hunter Stern at hls5@ibew1245.com.