Diablo Canyon Secures Coastal Commission Land Use Plan Approval for License Renewal

Diablo Canyon nuclear plant has secured approval from the California Coastal Commission for a land use plan requiring the setting aside of 4,000 acres. This decision is crucial for Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) as it seeks a 20-year extension for its two 1,100 MW reactors.

PG&E submitted its license renewal application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in November 2023, with a full review underway. The NRC is expected to approve the application by Q1 2026, contingent on PG&E meeting state requirements, including a water quality certification.

In June 2025, the NRC confirmed the site's safety for continued management. The Coastal Commission's decision, passed by nine of twelve commissioners, allows PG&E to propose conservation and mitigation measures. Meanwhile, California's energy demand is rising significantly, with data centers projected to increase energy needs by 4 GW within a decade.