Despite ongoing efforts to keep Diablo Canyon Power Plant up and running for years to come, Pacific Gas & Electric continues with its efforts eying the plant’s eventual closure; even though that might not happen for another 5-20 years.
“While PG&E is pursuing the steps to continue operating Diablo Canyon Power Plant until 2030, as directed by the State,” reads a news release by the company, “PG&E will continue to provide opportunities for community input regarding future decommissioning plans and potential future uses of the Diablo Canyon site.”
PG&E formed a “Decommissioning Engagement Panel” in 2018, after it’s announcement that it would close both nuclear reactors this year and next, when their operating licenses were slated to expire.
The panel was formed to hold public hearings and gather input as to what should ultimately be done with the fantastic 12,000-acre coastal property?
The company is accepting applications now through March 5 to sit on this year’s panel and continue the decommissioning planning, which the company describes as a “local, non-regulatory stakeholder group.” Decommissioning is also estimated to cost upwards of $7 billion.
“There are several positions subject for appointment or reappointment consistent with the Panel’s Charter,” PG&E said.
Information on how to apply is posted online at: pge.com/diablocanyon (scroll to the Engagement Panel section) or see: diablocanyonpanel.org.
The applicants will be chosen by current panel members representing PG&E and the California Public Utilities Commission, who are not seeking reappointment, the company said.
They will “select candidates who broadly reflect the diverse stakeholder viewpoints in proximity to Diablo Canpyn Power Plant.”
Under the eligibility requirements, as laid out by the Panel’s Charter, “elected officials, current PG&E employees and their immediate family members will not be considered eligible for community membership on the Panel.”
The Panel presides over periodic public meetings in an information-gathering setting, as well as taking public comments on what should become of the property, once the power plant use is finally ended?
