U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) recently joined two other Republican California congressmen to lead a clean energy forum titled "The Golden State of nuclear power: The importance of Diablo Canyon and nuclear energy in California's grid."
Calvert was joined by U.S. Reps. Doug LaMalfa and David Valadao.
According to a news release from Calvert's office, the forum featured experts from PG&E, Environmental Progress and the American Conservation Coalition. They discussed the contributions of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant and nuclear energy in general to California's power grid.
"Unreliable power during extreme heat is, unfortunately, becoming the new normal in California," Calvert said. "We cannot control the temperature, but we can implement policies that promote a secure and reliable electric grid. California's leadership has consistently shown its preference for decreased reliability and increased costs to its citizens. I'm leading the Clean Energy Protection Act to push the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to explore federal avenues to secure this carbon-free source of baseload power for California residents.
"Fortunately, the fever broke briefly in Sacramento and the state legislature has acted to keep Diablo Canyon open for at least five more years," he added. "While I appreciate this overdue action, this is a crisis they made. I believe it highlights what's at stake when politicians, not energy markets, decide how to power American homes."
LaMalfa also addressed the matter.
"When we look at the need for baseload power from sources like nuclear, hydro, and biomass, these are the kinds of power generation that are reliable and going to keep the lights on for us," said. "Our friends in Germany are learning the lesson of reliability very vividly as they depend on a source of power – Russian natural gas – that can be turned off while at the same time they shut down domestic nuclear plants.
"California, like Germany, has taken a path that reduced reliability, increased costs to consumers and ultimately places their entire electric grid in danger because they lack the baseload power to keep the lights on when there is large demands," he added. "Nuclear power is clean, safe and reliable power that America needs. I am happy to see the extension of the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant and it is crucial we add another extension to its full useful life, which is at least another 20 years."
Valadao agreed with his GOP colleagues.
"Diablo Canyon produces inexpensive, incredibly clean, reliable power in the Golden State," he said. "At a time when energy costs are skyrocketing for Central Valley families, we need to increase our supply of safe, clean energy to provide power for our electrical grid. I have supported legislation during my time in Congress to stop the closure of Diablo Canyon, our state's last remaining operational nuclear power plant, and am glad the legislature passed an extension.
"But it's critical we continue to champion clean energy sources like nuclear power and ensure Diablo Canyon remains a key component in our state's energy portfolio," Valadao added. "I'm glad the [Congressional] Western Caucus is highlighting this important issue during National Clean Energy Week."
During the forum, the House members heard from Maureen Zawalick, vice president of decommissioning and technical services for Pacific Gas and Electric; Michael Shellenberger, founder and president of Environmental Progress; and Chris Barnard, policy director of the American Conservation Coalition.
These speakers highlighted the role Diablo Canyon plays in California's energy supply, safety measures taken to ensure responsible nuclear energy generation and the importance of nuclear power in the nation's America's clean energy future.
Diablo Canyon, operated by Pacific Gas and Electric, is the only nuclear power plant in California and is the state's largest single source of electricity. The plant was supposed to close by 2025 due to anti-nuclear advocates, but recently the California Legislature voted to extend the plant's life for another five years.