In response to a request from Governor Newsom, the U.S. Department of Energy is currently proposing an amendment to the Guidance for the Civil Nuclear Credit Program. The amendment would allow California’s last nuclear power plant to qualify for federal financial assistance. The change would remove a requirement that would otherwise prevent PG&E’s Diablo Canyon nuclear power facility from getting a portion of $6 billion in funding that the White House is making available to rescue nuclear reactors at risk of closing. This potential reversal of California’s anti-nuclear power stance underscores the crisis the state is facing as it seeks to decarbonize its grid.
