For a species of their calibre, human beings have a pretty devastating record in regards to making mistakes. The same has become evident at many different points in our history, with each representation practically forcing us to looking for defensive cover. To the world’s credit, it will find the best possible answer to this conundrum by bringing dedicated regulatory bodies into the fold. You see, having a well-defined authority across each and every area was a game-changer, as it instantly allowed us to hide a lot of our errors. Nevertheless, the utopia to emerge from it was gone before anyone could even realize, and if we are being honest, it was all technology’s fault. We say that because the moment technology and its layered nature took over the scene, it gave people an unprecedented chance to exploit others for their own benefit. In fact, the scale at which this started to happen quickly overwhelmed our governing forces and sent them back to the drawing board. Now, while the traces of a comeback are becoming more and more apparent as we move forward, there is still some serious work left to be done. The stated struggle is reinforced on the back of a new legislation.
California lawmakers are formally mulling over a legislation, which is designed to keep he state’s last operating nuclear plant, Diablo Canyon, open beyond its planned 2025 closure date. According to certain reports, this potential delay is orchestrated by unfeasible conditions that have slowed down the construction of wind and solar plants. Let’s gain a perspective on the situation by looking at a few facts and figures. The Diablo Canyon, at the moment, is responsible for 8.6% of the state’s electricity and 17% of the state’s zero-carbon electricity supply. With other sources not ready, if California doesn’t reconsider its winding down schedule for the plant, it will be leaving a huge gap in the state’s electricity supply.
“Because of supply chain disruptions, the impact of tariff disputes, and other delays in installation of new clean energy generation and storage systems, including solar and wind projects with battery storage, there is substantial risk that insufficient new clean energy supplies will be online in time to ensure electricity system reliability when the Diablo Canyon powerplant is scheduled to be decommissioned,” the legislation draft reads.
Furthermore, not extending Diablo Canyon is also expected to force California into using energy sources that release greenhouse gases. Talk about the scenario in which the legislation is approved, though, it will keep Unit 1 of the plant open until October 31, 2029, and unit 2 until October 31, 2030. Once these deadlines arrive, the state will make a decision on whether it’s worthwhile to keep the plant open for another five years. Regardless of what they decide, the whole thing isn’t likely to stick around beyond October 31, 2035.
