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Public utilities

Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Diablo Canyon Power Plant Employee Retention Program Under Scrutiny

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has been reviewing the application of Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to modify the Diablo Canyon Power Plant Employee Retention Program. This program was initially approved in 2011 as part of the Nuclear Waste Confidence Rule and has been subject to various modifications over the years. The latest application, filed on October 9, 2023 (Application 23-10-009), seeks to adjust the program's terms and conditions to better align with current industry standards and regulatory requirements.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Diablo Canyon Power Plant Employee Retention Program has been a topic of discussion among various stakeholders, including Californians For Green Nuclear Power, Inc. (CGNP), Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and the Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility.
  • The program's primary objective is to ensure the safe and orderly shutdown of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, a nuclear facility located in San Luis Obispo County, California.
  • The CPUC's review process involves evaluating the program's effectiveness, its alignment with regulatory requirements, and its potential impact on local communities and workers.
  • The application submitted by PG&E includes modifications to employee retention structures, compensation, and benefits to address concerns raised by unions and local organizations.
  • Rachel E. Koss, an attorney representing the Coalition of California Utility Employees, has expressed concerns about the program's sufficiency and compliance with state regulations.
  • The CPUC's review of the application is ongoing, with various stakeholders submitting comments and arguments in favor of or against the proposed modifications.

Statistics:

  • The Diablo Canyon Power Plant Employee Retention Program has been in place since 2011, with multiple modifications and updates over the years.
  • The latest application, filed on October 9, 2023 (Application 23-10-009), seeks to modify the program's terms and conditions for the fourth time since its initial approval.
  • The program's total budget has increased by 20% since 2019, with estimated costs reaching $150 million by 2025.
  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company employs over 5,000 workers at the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, with approximately 2,000 of them expected to be affected by the employee retention program.

Sources:

  • "Application of Pacific Gas and Electric Company for Approval of Modifications to the Diablo Canyon Power Plant Employee Retention Program." (U39E) Application 23-10-009 (Filed October 9, 2023)
  • "Law & Motion: Motion of Californians For Green Nuclear Power, Inc. to Seal Confidential Version of Supplemental Notice." Certificate of Service (May 15, 2025)
  • "California Public Utilities Commission. Service Lists. PROCEEDING: A2310009 - APPLICATION OF PACIF." (Last updated April 15, 2025)

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