California calls itself “green.” Closing Diablo Canyon speaks loudly that this is a very false notion.
Diablo Canyon, a plant supplying electricity to nearly 10 percent of the huge state of California, is our largest single carbon-free generator. It is a reliable “base load” energy supplier, meaning it runs all the time, while renewables make electricity a small part of the time. Natural gas has to be ready to back them up when the wind dies and the sun goes down or it’s cloudy.
Billions of tons of carbon are spewed into the atmosphere to keep wind and solar going. Yet renewables are sold as “clean and environmental.” Plainly more false information.
Solar in our state cost many billions to build, yet panels can wear out in only 20 years. Same for wind generators. So prepare to spend multiple billions of tax dollars for the next round of rebuilding renewables coming up.
What about the waste from renewables? Basically there is no plan on exactly what to do with giant towers and thousands of wind turbine blades several blocks long. Solar panels contain many poisonous chemicals. What’s the plan, Gov. Newsom?
Nuclear plants like Diablo Canyon may last for up to 100 years with replacement of a few vital parts costing under $1 billion. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission was prepared to extend Diablo’s life for 40 more years until natural gas became Gov. Newsom’s and the Legislature’s preference. Diablo is planned for closure in 2024-25.
Like “smoking is safe,” which was falsely told to the public, the fossil fuel industry is desperately trying to extinguish clean nuclear power with campaign money and TV programs. They know nuclear could replace their dirty, dangerous, planet-threatening way of making electricity. Big Oil is almighty and can “cause” series like Chernobyl to be made to put fear into us. Even NPR never airs a positive story about carbon-free nuclear power.
The truth is by actual numbers including all accidents, nuclear is far, far safer than any means of generating electricity. This is about global warming and your children’s and grandchildren’s future. If you care about them and their future, get involved. Contact your state, county, and city elected reps. Sad, but they are your children’s only defense.
William Gloege
Santa Maria
This article appears in Mar 12-19, 2020.
