Bill Introduced to Address Local Impacts of Diablo Canyon Closure
Author: Administrative Office
Date: 3/16/2018 2:55 PM
Senator Bill Monning and Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham announced on March 16 the introduction of a bill that would safeguard public safety, health and economic security of San Luis Obispo County.
The following was released by Senator Bill Monning's office on March 16 at 2:55 p.m.:
Today, Senator Bill Monning (D-Carmel), Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham (R-San Luis Obispo), both of whom represent San Luis Obispo County, were joined by numerous community stakeholders to announce the introduction of Senate Bill (SB) 1090, which authorizes the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to approve elements of the Joint Proposal that was submitted as part of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant (Diablo Canyon) retirement application.
“The original Joint Proposal serves the best interest of the local communities, workers, the environment, and ratepayers,” said Senator Monning. “SB 1090 is necessary to ensure that Diablo Canyon operates safely and reliably for the remainder of its license period, and provides a bridge of predictability and security to the greater San Luis Obispo region as the transition to the closure of Diablo Canyon moves forward.”
“We have an entire local economy built around Diablo Canyon,” said Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham. “SB 1090 is important to ensure a smooth transition for our community.”
SB 1090 calls on the CPUC to approve elements of the Joint Proposal, as modified by the community impact mitigation settlement, which was submitted as part of the Diablo retirement application. The bill requires the CPUC to approve the community impact mitigation settlement of $85 million; directs the CPUC to manage its integrated resource plan to ensure that there is no increase in green-house gas emissions as a result of the retirement of Diablo Canyon; requires the CPUC to approve full funding of the $350 million employee retention program; and requires the CPUC to establish an expedited advice letter process for approval and implementation of the community impact mitigation settlement and employee retention program.
"Maintaining San Luis Obispo County’s more than 700 public services like law enforcement, fire protection, road maintenance and land-use planning will enable the safe and secure operation of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant until its planned retirement," stated Supervisor John Peschong, the Chairman of the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors. “Supporting SB 1090 will help our community continue its efforts to educate our young people and maintain the services San Luis Obispo County delivers to our residents.”
“Since PG&E announced it would shutter Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, the Coalition of Cities has worked tirelessly to ensure our community is armed with the information we need to plan for a post-Diablo economy," said Mayor Heidi Harmon. "This bill acknowledges that our community has assumed the risk of having a nuclear power plant in our backyard. This is a step in the right direction in ensuring our community does not helplessly suffer as other nuclear power plant communities have from similar plant shutdowns."
Dr. Eric Prater, Superintendent of San Luis Coastal Unified School District stated, "SB 1090 will assist the District in managing the impacts of the Diablo closure over time, essentially bridging the funding gap so that reductions can be implemented thoughtfully. Without it, students, teachers and the community will needlessly suffer.”
“The San Luis Obispo community has for decades played host to a nuclear plant that poses risks to the local population. While other PG&E customers beyond its borders have enjoyed the benefits of reliable electricity from Diablo Canyon, it is only the people of San Luis Obispo who need to keep potassium iodide pills in their medicine cabinet in case of a radioactive release,” stated Rochelle Becker, Executive Director of the Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility. “The Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility takes seriously the Diablo Canyon Independent Safety Committee’s concern that an attentive and well-trained workforce must be maintained to manage the risks posed by an operating nuclear power plant.”
Robert Dean with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1245 stated, "This legislation reinstates the joint party agreement that has been held up as the gold standard for moving into our new energy future while protecting workers, communities and the environment.”
