There are many concerns about adding another 15 to 20 years to an aging Diablo Canyon nuclear plant operation, which uses radiation to boil seawater to make electricity. Sounds outdated and dangerous.
Last year, Trump signed an order to allow greater radiation exposure to the public ignoring its disproportionate effect on children and women.
Our energy future is extremely important, but nuclear should not be part of it, especially since Diablo sits among seismic faults, some of which are active.
Every additional year, the plant generates more high-level radioactive waste. The United States still has no permanent repository for commercial spent nuclear fuel, so it remains on-site indefinitely.
If and when that repository is built and approved, the waste has to be transported, often passing through towns and cities.
There’s nuclear waste near every plant in the U.S. Possible targets.
What’s keeping clean-energy producers down? It’s cheaper by far and cleaner, safer. Could it be most decision-makers have bought the AI plan.
Marty Brown
Atascadero
This article appears in August 6 – August 13, 2026.
