The California Coastal Commission approved a plan to extend the life of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant by at least five years.
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 S.B. 846.