From left: State Senator Bill Morning, IBEW 1245 Business Manager Tom Dalzell, Assemblymember Chad Mayes, Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham, IBEW 1245 Senior Assistant Business Manager Bob Dean and IBEW 1245 Assistant Business Manager Hunter Stern pose for a photo after SB 1090 clears the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee
SB 1090, IBEW 1245’s sponsored legislation to restore the original Joint Proposal Agreement at the Diablo Canyon Power Plant (including the original 25% retention package, not the 15% that the PUC awarded) has passed the California State Senate, and faced its first hearing in the Assembly before the Utilities and Energy Committee on June 27.
IBEW 1245 Business Manager Tom Dalzell talks with California State Senator Bill Monning at committee hearing
IBEW 1245 Business Manager Tom Dalzell, Senior Assistant Business Manager Bob Dean and Assistant Business Manager Hunter Stern attended the hearing, as did Local 1245’s regulatory lawyer, Marc Joseph, and lobbyist, Scott Wetch.
The bill’s author, Senator Bill Monning (D- Central Coast), explained the bill to the committee and detailed the critical need to retain Diablo’s skilled work force as the plant transitions offline over the next seven years. The bill’s co-author, Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham (R-San Luis Obispo), gave an impassioned speech in support of the workers. Committee Chair Chris Holden (D- San Gabriel Valley) and Assemblymember Chad Mayes (R-Inland Empire) also made strong remarks in favor of the bill.
Senior Assistant Business Manager Bob Dean testified before the committee on behalf of Local 1245.
“I spoke on DCPP being one of the safest plants in the nation, and explained that the highly skilled and extensively trained work force is irreplaceable,” said Dean. “We bargained the Joint Proposal Agreement and retention bonus in good faith, and it would be unfair not to uphold that agreement.”
IBEW 1245 Senior Assistant Business Manager Bob Dean (left) testifies before the Utilities and Energy Committee
Many other parties expressed support for the bill as well, including environmental advocates and local government from San Luis Obispo county. There was very little opposition.
At the end of the hearing, the bill was unanimously approved by a vote of 13-0. Every single member of the committee – Republicans and Democrats alike – voted in favor of the bill, thanks in large part to Local 1245’s effort to reach out to lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
“This unanimous, bi-partisan vote is practically unheard-of in the Capitol, and clearly demonstrates the strength of our political presence in Sacramento,” said Dalzell.
“We have confidence that the legislation will continue to draw broad support going forward,” Dean added.
The bill now proceeds to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Photos by John Storey