Here is a passage i enjoyed from the Constellation Energy Weekly Energy Industry Summary that I received on 7 April 2026. Constellation Energy is distinguished by operating the biggest fleet of nuclear power reactors (21 reactors) in the United States. Since Constellation Energy acquired this fleet, the firm has significantly increased the capacity factors of the reactors their fleet, a positive accomplishment.
..... California will remain a nuclear state for the foreseeable future. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved the 20 year license renewal for Diablo Canyon last week following a three year public review process that also included approvals from a variety of state agencies that no one would have seriously expected to oppose it. The renewal completes a process set in motion when state lawmakers passed and the Governor signed SB 846 in 2022, directing Diablo Canyon to continue operating through 2030 in response to statewide grid reliability concerns and a particular elected official’s presidential aspirations. The plant supplied roughly 10% of the state’s electricity and 16% of its zero-carbon power in 2024. While the federal license technically extends through 2044–2045, state law under SB 846 caps operations at 2030, and any extension beyond that date will require a separate vote by the California Legislature – a prospect that is expected to face heavy opposition from the anti-nuke crowd and other environmental groups citing proximity to earthquake faults along with the plant's heavy ocean water usage for cooling – but it will happen anyway.....
Here's an excellent OpEd regarding the need to keep DCPP running written by Clive Pinder in the 14 April 2026 print edition of the San Luis Obispo Tribune, the local paper of record. The title is, "The greenest thing on the Central Coast is the one they want to shut down."
Its good news but a shame so much energy needs to be expended on what should be such an easy and obvious choice.... and just shows how foolish those in control have been.
Thank you. As I've noted elsewhere, the adoption of intermittent and expensive solar, wind, and batteries by the industrial West is unilateral disarmament to the Socialist BRICS nations, who in the same "thought leadership" are granted a pass to use as much reliable and economical fossil and nuclear power as they desire. Sadly Western media has tended to uncritically accept this Socialist perspective. Maddening.
Thank you, Russell. Sadly, there are other Left-leaning governments in the West employing wishful thinking that are on similar trajectories. See this 30 March 2026 Washington Post editorial, "Three cautionary tales from the Iran energy shock. Never confuse good intentions with good planning."
The Washington Post tends to reflect a Leftist bias, making this editorial especially significant. Germany, Taiwan, and California are excoriated. The final sentence reads, "The governments best situated to weather this energy shock are not the greenest, but the ones that treated energy as a national security interest and diversified their supply responsibly."
Wow, the "Compost" MAY finally become a real newspaper again. I won't hold my breath but I've seen a few things that really surprised me.
Thanks for all your expertise and wonderful Stacks. I wish my FIL was still alive to see how many good people are out there. Now we just need to find a home for the NS Savannah.
I certainly hope so. I'm in Washington, DC for an energy conference on 14 April 2026. I lived in the National Capital Region from late 2007 to early 2012,
I lived in NoVA for many years... still out in rural VA but thank goodness about 70 miles out. Hope you have a great trip today. I'll look forward to seeing your reports on the conference.
Here is a passage i enjoyed from the Constellation Energy Weekly Energy Industry Summary that I received on 7 April 2026. Constellation Energy is distinguished by operating the biggest fleet of nuclear power reactors (21 reactors) in the United States. Since Constellation Energy acquired this fleet, the firm has significantly increased the capacity factors of the reactors their fleet, a positive accomplishment.
https://www.constellation.com/solutions/for-your-commercial-business/energy-tools-and-resources/energy-market-update.html
..... California will remain a nuclear state for the foreseeable future. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved the 20 year license renewal for Diablo Canyon last week following a three year public review process that also included approvals from a variety of state agencies that no one would have seriously expected to oppose it. The renewal completes a process set in motion when state lawmakers passed and the Governor signed SB 846 in 2022, directing Diablo Canyon to continue operating through 2030 in response to statewide grid reliability concerns and a particular elected official’s presidential aspirations. The plant supplied roughly 10% of the state’s electricity and 16% of its zero-carbon power in 2024. While the federal license technically extends through 2044–2045, state law under SB 846 caps operations at 2030, and any extension beyond that date will require a separate vote by the California Legislature – a prospect that is expected to face heavy opposition from the anti-nuke crowd and other environmental groups citing proximity to earthquake faults along with the plant's heavy ocean water usage for cooling – but it will happen anyway.....
Here's an excellent OpEd regarding the need to keep DCPP running written by Clive Pinder in the 14 April 2026 print edition of the San Luis Obispo Tribune, the local paper of record. The title is, "The greenest thing on the Central Coast is the one they want to shut down."
https://www.sanluisobispo.com/opinion/article315354741.html?giftCode=21f368a6021b75760fa7bd4e109b12730f78a344088b88a8017cf6ed128bbd11
Clive Pinder's profile is available at his website In Search of Sanity
https://www.insearchofsanity.org/who-we-are.html
Its good news but a shame so much energy needs to be expended on what should be such an easy and obvious choice.... and just shows how foolish those in control have been.
Thank you. As I've noted elsewhere, the adoption of intermittent and expensive solar, wind, and batteries by the industrial West is unilateral disarmament to the Socialist BRICS nations, who in the same "thought leadership" are granted a pass to use as much reliable and economical fossil and nuclear power as they desire. Sadly Western media has tended to uncritically accept this Socialist perspective. Maddening.
Great work Gene! Many years of advocation for the continued operation of Diablo Canyon finally paid off!
Congratulations!
Thank you!
Tough job, well done.
Congrats
Jack
Thank you. It has been a tough job. Significant work remains.
Congratulations Gene, and thanks for keeping this pathetically governed state from collapsing!
Thank you, Russell. Sadly, there are other Left-leaning governments in the West employing wishful thinking that are on similar trajectories. See this 30 March 2026 Washington Post editorial, "Three cautionary tales from the Iran energy shock. Never confuse good intentions with good planning."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/03/30/energy-environment-taiwan-germany-california/
The Washington Post tends to reflect a Leftist bias, making this editorial especially significant. Germany, Taiwan, and California are excoriated. The final sentence reads, "The governments best situated to weather this energy shock are not the greenest, but the ones that treated energy as a national security interest and diversified their supply responsibly."
Wow, the "Compost" MAY finally become a real newspaper again. I won't hold my breath but I've seen a few things that really surprised me.
Thanks for all your expertise and wonderful Stacks. I wish my FIL was still alive to see how many good people are out there. Now we just need to find a home for the NS Savannah.
I certainly hope so. I'm in Washington, DC for an energy conference on 14 April 2026. I lived in the National Capital Region from late 2007 to early 2012,
I lived in NoVA for many years... still out in rural VA but thank goodness about 70 miles out. Hope you have a great trip today. I'll look forward to seeing your reports on the conference.
If they hurry and start today maybe they will have a replacement by the time the next extension runs out.
Sad but true.
🥳🥳