One thought on “Newsom takes stance on prickly enviro issues

  1. There are strong arguments for keeping Diablo Canyon operating during the transition to renewable energy, as the shortfall will be made up by burning natural gas to generate electricity. Keeping it open another decade avoids significant CO2 emissions and, during the day when there is adequate solar power, its generation can be used for desalination or green hydrogen. Stanford published a study on the benefits. https://energy.stanford.edu/publications/assessment-diablo-canyon-nuclear-plant-zero-carbon-electricity-desalination-and. First finding: “Delaying the retirement of Diablo Canyon to 2035 would reduce California power sector
    carbon emissions by more than 10% from 2017 levels and reduce reliance on gas, save $2.6 Billion in power system costs, and bolster system reliability to mitigate brownouts; if operated to 2045 and beyond, Diablo Canyon could save up to $21 Billion in power system costs and spare 90,000 acres of land from use for energy production, while meeting coastal protection requirements.” Given the climate change imperative, tradeoffs must be made, and avoiding GHG emissions is worth some more fuel rods in storage.

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