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The federal approval allows Unit 1 to operate until November 2, 2044 and Unit 2 to operate until August 26, 2045. The approval completes the federal licensing process initiated under 2022 legislation to extend operations beyond planned retirement dates. Currently, Unit 1 is authorized to stay open until 2029 and Unit 2 is authorized to stay open until 2030.

Federal Review Finds No New Environmental or Safety Impacts

The NRC’s environmental and safety reviews concluded that continued operations would not result in “new or significantly different environmental impacts” beyond those previously analyzed. The agency also determined that the plant can continue to operate safely under existing design parameters, including seismic conditions.

The renewal is based on continued operation of existing infrastructure rather than new development, reinforcing the agency’s conclusion that the extension represents a continuation of previously assessed activities rather than a material expansion.

Plant Received State Approvals Prior to Federal Action

The federal decision follows a series of state-level approvals required for relicensing. These included permits from the California Coastal Commission, the California Public Utilities Commission, and the State Lands Commission. In February 2026, the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board granted approval of a water quality permit, clearing the way for the NRC decision.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company submitted its license renewal application in November 2023, after SB 846 extended the life of the power plant’s two units by five years to 2029 and 2030.

Legislature Will Determine Long-Term Operations

Despite federal approval, California retains decisive authority over whether Diablo Canyon operates beyond 2030. The NRC controls reactor licensing and safety determinations, but state law governs whether the plant may continue operating under those licenses.

The approval could renew legislative debate over the role of nuclear power in achieving California’s statutory target of 100% clean electricity by 2045.

Diablo Canyon is California’s largest single source of electricity, supplying roughly 10% of total in-state generation and about 16% of zero-carbon power in 2024, according to data cited in the approval process.

Governor Gavin Newsom supported the NRC decision, stating it aligns with California’s clean energy and economic objectives. “Today, I welcome the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s approval as we continue California’s clean energy transition, creating good-paying jobs, fighting climate change and cementing the Golden State as a global powerhouse,” he said.

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The Commission voted 9-3 to approve Pacific Gas and Electric’s (PG&E) request for a federal consistency certification and a state coastal development permit as part of a plan to place 4,000 acres of land into conservation. The approvals were needed to gain Federal approval for a 20-year relicensing permit.

In November, the Commission declined PG&E’s request for approval of the plan at a November 6, 2025 meeting. The Commission rejected its own staff recommendation and said PG&E must place thousands of acres of land into conservation for approval of the coastal development permit.

PG&E agreed to do the following:

• Protect 4,500 acres of North Ranch through conservation easements and potential transfer to expand Montaña de Oro State Park by 50%, or transfer to other tribal or public entities;

• Establish a purchase option for Wild Cherry Canyon, enabling potential future conservation;

• Dedicate 25 miles of new public trails, including Point Buchon and Pecho Coast loops, San Luis Hill access, and a through-trail linking Montaña de Oro to Port San Luis;

• Contribute $10M for trail development, maintenance, and stewardship;

• Commit not to sell South Ranch lands until 2040, ensuring Commission oversight during decommissioning.

If Diablo Canyon’s operations continue after 2030, additional conservation measures would include the expansion of the South Ranch conservation deed restrictions to 2,490 acres, covering all coastal zone lands. PG&E would also provide government agencies, nonprofits and California Native American Tribes first purchase rights for all 5,000 acres of South Ranch, with mandatory conservation easements.

The federal consistency certification is needed for a new 20-year federal operating licenses is for Diablo Canyon’s two electricity generating units, Unit 1 and Unit 2. The coastal development permit is needed for operation of the generating units for an additional five years to 2029 and 2030, as authorized under SB 846.

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The Commission did not accept its staff recommendation to approve the requests at the November 6, 2025 meeting, but instead said PG&E must place thousands of acres of land into conservation for approval of the coastal development permit. The land is needed to mitigate the impact of the plant’s cooling system, which uses about 2.5 billion gallons of seawater per day, according to the San Luis Obispo Tribune.

The federal consistency certification is needed for a new 20-year federal operating licenses is for Diablo Canyon’s two electricity generating units, Unit 1 and Unit 2. The coastal development permit is needed for operation of the generating units for an additional five years to 2029 and 2030, as authorized under SB 846.

The Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant is the largest power source in California and provides 8.6% of the state’s electricity, including approximately 17% of its zero-emissions electricity. The plant’s two units were scheduled to be retired in 2024 and 2025, but concerns over anticipated power shortages during the state’s transition to renewable energy led to growing support for keeping it open. (See California Keeps Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant Open.)

The two sides must still negotiate the timing and process of the land conservation deal. The Coastal Commission will decide on an updated mitigation plan in December.

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In September, Governor Newsom signed into law SB 846, which extended the life of the 2,250 MW Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant’s two units by five years to 2029 and 2030. The legislation also authorized a forgivable $1.4 billion loan for plant owner Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). The law also required the Diablo Canyon plant to secure funds from the U.S. Department of Energy or other federal sources to pay back the loan. (See California Keeps Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant Open.)

To obtain the loan, the plant was required to qualify for the U.S. Department of Energy’s $6 billion CNC program by March 1, 2023. The CNC program, which is funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, was implemented to support the continued operations of nuclear energy facilities. PG&E applied for the funds on October 31, 2022.