As a decades-long neighbor and ratepayer of Diablo Canyon Power Plant, I have great concerns about what harm has and is being done to our marine life by the once-through cooling system used by Diablo Canyon for the last 40-plus years. Now, PG&E is applying for at least another 20-plus years of operation.
The California State Water Resources Control Board states, “Once-through cooling is dangerous because in the process of withdrawing billions of gallons of seawater millions of fish, larvae, eggs, seals, sea lions, turtles and other creatures are killed each year because they are trapped against screens or drawn into the cooling system and exposed to pressure and high heat. The marine life that is killed is mainly at the base of the food chain, which can adversely affect the future of certain species and impact recreational and commercial fishing.”
The California Coastal Commission has promised to “protect and enhance” California’s coast and ocean for present and future generations. There needs to be a thorough analysis of the environmental and commercial damage that would ensue if the extended operation of Diablo is granted for another 20 years. Please vote in favor of our ocean life.
Marty Brown
Atascadero
This article appears in Jul 17-27, 2025.
At this point, Diablo Canyon is just a jobs program for the various unions, insiders, and sons and daughters of the well connected. Last time I checked, our electric bill keeps going up. No Nukes.
This is another nail in the coffin of Diablo Canyon. But it was resurrected by our governor for his political gain and California’s loss. I know a geologist who has studied Diablo and he just shakes his head at why it’s allowed to continue to operate.