Vote to extend the license of Diablo Canyon reactors for another five years is outrageous | Opinion
Wholly inadequate
“Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant can remain open as NRC accepts relicensing application,” (sanluisobispo.com, Dec. 20)
The record supporting last week’s decision by the California Public Utilities Commission to extend Diablo Canyon is wholly inadequate. Many of the studies mandated by SB 846 to determine what needs and costs are required for the Diablo Canyon extension—including seismic, maintenance and upgrades — have yet to be completed.
Further, the CPUC blithely ignored Governor Newsom’s October 24 announcement that California had installed enough battery storage in 2023 to more than compensate for any reliability concerns over the loss of Diablo Canyon — one of the “off ramps” written into SB 846. But when it comes to foisting the $8.1 billion in costs for those five years onto ratepayers, the CPUC’s preferred method seems to be, “Spend first…ask questions later.” No wonder our rates are sky high.
Did Senator John Laird, in his support for SB 846, anticipate that the CPUC would crash through guard-rails put in place to protect his constituents?
David Weisman
Legislative Director, Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility
Paradise ... but for how much longer?
“Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant can remain open as NRC accepts relicensing application,” (sanluisobispo.com, Dec. 20)
What an outrage that three members of the California Public Utilities Committee (CPUC) recently voted to extend the license of both Diablo Canyon reactors for another five years, until 2029 and 2030. This vote ignored all safety concerns and even the application by PG&E in 2015 to decommission both of its nuclear reactors. What’s even more worrying? The Nuclear Regulatory Commission just days ago accepted PG&E’s application to renew the operational license for an additional 20 years.
Long-time residents who have spent their lives in SLO County did not select to live under a nuclear threat forever. Should Diablo fail for any reason or should there be a leak from the nuclear waste stored onsite indefinitely, this area would become uninhabitable.
The Office of Emergency Planning has printed a map showing northern and southern routes out of San Luis Obispo. Going north, there are only two roads, and both are inadequate as emergency exits: Highway 1 is currently closed for repairs, and Highway 101 backs up on a weekly basis — and that’s without panicked drivers trying to escape a radiation leak.
In 2015 PG&E and the county worked toward decommissioning this plant. This agreement must be adhered to. Wake up, San Luis Obispo. Did you move to paradise for this?
Patricia Kohlen,
San Luis Obispo
Opinion
Rotary’s anniversary
“SLO Rotarians help rebuild stage at Rancho El Chorro Outdoor School,” (sanluisobispo.com, July 18, 2017)
SLO Rotary is 100!
Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo celebrates its 100th anniversary this month and to mark the milestone, we’re inviting you to attend a Monday meeting to check us out.
You’ll discover that the Rotary stereotype — a bunch of middle-aged guys having lunch and making deals — is outdated; Rotary has evolved, and has a long list of accomplishments to show for it.
The club has contributed millions of dollars to local students to help with education costs, fund polio eradication efforts around the world that send teams of volunteers to help with inoculations in faraway places and build water wells. The bandstand at Mitchell Park? Rotary built it. Viewing area at SLO airport? Rotary. The club repaired Jack House fencing, built the stage at Mission Plaza, helped with a 2,000-tree city planting project and created Eto Park, honoring our local Japanese-American community.
One of the most rewarding relationships Rotary Club of SLO has created is with a sister club in Compostela, Mexico. In the 33-years of this sustaining partnership, Rotary Club of SLO has built a hospital for the struggling community, provided an ambulance and other vehicles, delivered clean water and healthcare supplies. One of the most moving parts of the Rotary Club of SLO’s recent gala celebration was having 10 of Compostela’s 18 members in attendance, guests of SLO.
Too many people face life without adequate food or healthcare or even access to clean water. Rotary is helping to change that. Check us out: www.slorotary.org and thank you to all who have donated time, passion and financial support to Rotary.
Dave Cox, San Luis Obispo Rotary past president
Does Oceano need an airport?
“Oceano County Airport: Future in question,” (Feb 25, 2010, sanluisobispo.com)
The Oceano County Airport Administration sought approval from the California Coastal Commission for a permit to “improve” the Oceano Airport, including an exclusive campground, entertainment stage, lounge, bathrooms, showers and private parking. However, on December 15, the coastal commission urged the airport administration to withdraw its application. Before permitting anything, the commission wants a comprehensive plan that addresses environmental justice issues in accordance with the Coastal Act and Environmental Justice Policy.
Commissioners questioned the justice and feasibility of using precious public coastal wetlands for an airport that does not benefit the broader Oceano community. We would also like an independent land use study to identify possible alternative future uses for that land. We already have airports 16 miles to the north and 30 miles to the south.
The Oceano Airport occupies 60 acres of restorable wetlands that are crucial as a natural floodplain for the Arroyo Grande Creek. These wetlands are essential for Oceano’s well-being, as demonstrated by the threat posed to residents during the levee breach last winter. The airport limits public access and recreational opportunities. With the current off-roading playground on our beach and dunes, Oceano lacks a safe and accessible beachfront.
The 60 acres now occupied by the airport could be restored into a wetlands park with trails and a small day-use area where residents and visitors can park and then walk to the beach. Oceano needs a safe pedestrian and bike path to the beach, a vehicle-free beach and a park. Will the county ever listen?
Lucia Casalinuovo
Oceano Beach Community Association members
SLO constituency
“Letters to the editor,” (sanluisobispo.com)
A recent letter to the editor concerning the vote of the Port San Luis Harbor District in support of offshore wind power generation highlights a common misconception of the purpose of public hearings. These events, be it this body, a school board or anything else, are designed to provide the public with an opportunity to observe the functioning of their government. They are not elections or straw polls.
It is the responsibility of the governing agency to act not as the audience present desires, but rather in the best interest of the constituency as a whole. We certainly have the right to lobby them, but there are many modes of input besides the public hearing. In a representative government such as ours, the electorate chooses the representatives and has opportunity to change them on a regular basis.
It is there that each constituent has an equal vote.
John Sherwood
Shell Beach
