Letter to Ed Halpin, Senior Vice President of Generation and Chief Nuclear Officer - Rep. Carbajal Announces Support for a Diablo Canyon Power Plant Decommissioning Community Advisory Panel

Letter

Dear Mr. Halpin:

Since Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) Company announced its decision to retire the two nuclear reactors at Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP) at the end of their current license period, my constituents have expressed concerns and interest in the decommissioning process. As part of the Joint Parties Agreement, I am encouraged that PG&E proposed a decommissioning advisory panel that could include industry experts, state and local government representatives, community representatives, and affected stakeholders to provide input regarding emergency preparedness activities as part of its 2018 Nuclear Decommissioning Cost Triennial Proceeding (NDCTP). I am writing to ask that PG&E consider forming the community advisory panel expeditiously, to benefit from the diverse set of ideas, and perspectives, and open a conduit of information between interested parties on all matters of decommissioning.

While not required by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the establishment of community engagement panels for input into the nuclear power plant decommissioning process is a best practice adopted previously by PG&E at the Humboldt Bay nuclear power plant (HBPP), and most recently by Southern California Edison (SCE) to support decommissioning of its San Onofre Generating Station. Community engagement panels provide a platform to disseminate information, understand a variety of perspectives, and re-affirm the existing partnership between the nuclear plant owner and the local host community, a role that has provided both benefits and additional responsibilities.

Although Diablo Canyon isn't slated to be closed until 2025, the decommissioning of a nuclear power plant has a tremendous impact on the local communities that host the facility. Therefore, it is essential that any decommissioning process be done in partnership with the families and residents who will be impacted by the closure, clean-up, waste disposal, and remediation of the plant. I commend PG&E for adopting this practice at HBPP and for their proposal to do so going forward at DCPP. I hope that PG&E can move forward in a timely fashion and set up a community advisory panel.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my request. I look forward to working together on this issue of concern that impacts so many of my constituents in the Central Coast. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,

SALUD O. CARBAJAL
Member of Congress

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