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Political Breakdown

Should California Keep Its Last Nuclear Power Plant Running?

Scott ShaferMarisa LagosLaura Klivans
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Amid growing energy demands from the tech sector, California legislators have examined a number of ways to use more nuclear power to fill the gap. That includes potentially extending the lifespan of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant in San Luis Obispo County, which has been providing electricity for 38 years. (Lionel Hahn/Reuters)

California has just one nuclear power plant in operation: PG&E’s Diablo Canyon Power Plant in San Luis Obispo. Under current state law, it can only run until 2030, but lawmakers are debating whether to extend it. Scott and Marisa are joined by KQED climate reporter Laura Klivans to dig into the fight over Diablo Canyon’s future, the pros and cons of nuclear power and whether it makes economic sense to keep the plant open.

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