Extend Diablo Operations
As elected officials throughout California, we represent our constituents’ interests, and what we have been hearing loud and clear is that they want immediate action from lawmakers addressing affordability. That is why we are writing to encourage the Legislature to extend Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP) operations to 2045 this year.
Lawmakers have an opportunity to pass a bill that directly addresses energy affordability by extending our only round-the-clock carbon-free energy source that provides a significant foundation for California’s clean energy goals. There are many downsides to delaying action: most notably, higher costs for Californians.
Allowing DCPP to operate through 2045 would save Californians up to $1.3 billion annually, according to a recent MIT study. As California’s energy needs continue to grow, ratepayers’ bills should not; we already have some of the highest electricity costs in the United States. In our communities throughout the state, we often hear from constituents that affordability is top of mind. No family should have to decide between keeping the lights on or keeping food on the table.
Each year the Legislature delays, the cost of fuel increases as national and international demand continues to grow in the nuclear fuel market. That could cost us tens of millions of dollars more by some estimates just for fuel.
Additionally, California’s energy needs are accelerating, and power purchasers are finalizing their plans to meet this larger demand without Diablo Canyon as a resource beyond 2030. That’s why the Northern California Power Agency called on the Legislature to act to extend Diablo Canyon, stating, “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.”
Each year we wait, Californians may face increased energy bills and less reliable power during climate emergencies, forcing us to rely on expensive, polluting backup sources rather than the renewable, clean energy that will keep our state functional and beautiful for generations to come. Let’s not forget that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has paved the way for the state to extend Diablo Canyon, approving its permit to safely operate for another 20 years. And, this month, an independent Westinghouse study affirmed that Diablo Canyon’s reactor vessels are safe to operate for 60 years.
Fortunately, there is time to extend Diablo Canyon before the end of this year’s Legislative session. Now is the time to act. The best version of an extension involves a diverse range of stakeholders, all of whom must be engaged as soon as possible. We encourage the Legislature to listen to constituents asking for a more affordable future and extend Diablo Canyon Power Plant this year. We appreciate your consideration and continued dedication to supporting Californians’ livelihoods.
Signed by 54 elected officials including:
San Luis Obispo County Supervisors John Peschong District 1, Dawn Ortiz-Legg District 3 and Heather Moreno District 5; and Bill Luffee, Morro Bay City Council Member; and Zara Landrum, Morro Bay City Council Member
Edwards Not Running for M.B. Council
I’m Grateful and Thank You!
If someone asked me to run for office 20 years ago when I made Morro Bay my home, I would’ve said you must be joking. Followed by I’m not qualified, what do I have to offer, and any number of reasons I could come up with. The truth is serving this community was bound to be a part of my journey.
As a new business owner in a small town, one of the first things I did was search out other business owners. What better recommendation than to join the chamber of commerce. An opportunity to mingle and share ideas with other people experiencing similar situations as I was. While my connections with established business owners grew and my involvement deepened, my business began to thrive. My time with the chamber made me realize most people genuinely want to be of service to others and there was immense reward in doing so.
I was more than a business owner; I had become an engaged citizen. Many of my proudest achievements followed like being appointed president of the merchant association, chair of the chamber of commerce, founding member of our local radio station 97.3 The Rock, and ultimately, the honor of being elected as a city council member.
My point is you’ll never know what you’re capable of until you put yourself out there. Volunteering and serving one’s community is an incredible opportunity whether you’ve newly arrived or lived here all your life. Sometimes life’s greatest rewards come from the most unexpected decisions.
I wanted to share my story for a very important reason. I want to encourage members of this community to get involved and stay involved. We’re at such an exciting but pivotal moment in the history of our city. We’ve invested more in maintaining our streets, secured funding for critical infrastructure and services, balanced our budget while continuing to make strides in planning for future growth opportunities, and we will soon complete the update of our Waterfront Master Plan.
As I serve out the rest of my four-year term on city council, I want to thank you for one of the greatest opportunities of my life. In my last few months, I will continue to make decisions with this community’s best interest at heart. I want to express how truly grateful I am to have worked with such a dedicated and hardworking city staff. To my colleagues, those to come and those I’m serving with, the health and prosperity of this community depend on the choices we make together. May we serve it well.
See you out and about or at the podium.
You may contact me at cedwards@morrobayca.gov.
Cindy Edwards
Morro Bay City Council
Slash Our Addiction to Plastic
If you’re not concerned about plastics, you should be.
Plastic doesn’t return harmlessly to nature. It breaks into ever smaller microplastics and nanoplastics that now appear in our food, water, air, blood and even human brain tissue. In one major study, people whose carotid-artery plaque contained plastic particles were more likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke or death during nearly three years of follow-up. The study found an association, not proof that plastics caused those events. Still, it is another flashing warning light.
The scale of the problem can feel paralyzing. It shouldn’t. We can cut demand today.
Start with single-use plastic. Bring cloth bags to farmers markets and grocery stores. Choose paper, glass or metal packaging. Trader Joe’s sells some apples in paper cartons. Sprouts offers shampoo and conditioner bars wrapped in paper. When plastic bags are unavoidable, wash, dry and reuse them.
SLO Citizens’ Climate Education, ECOSLO and other groups can help right here in our community. The Sierra Club also offers “A Room-by-Room Guide for Going Plastic-Free.”
Our dependence on plastic resembles an addiction: convenience keeps feeding it. Regulation matters, but so do daily choices. Slash your plastic use. Start today, and help make healthier habits contagious.
Don Maruska
Los Osos
