Welcome to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) website
for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review of Pacific
Gas and Electric's (PG&E) proposed replacement of steam generators
at Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP). An application for this project
was submitted to the CPUC on January 9, 2004. This site provides
access to public documents and information relevant to the CEQA
review process.
Background
PG&E has filed an application with the CPUC to replace the
steam generators at DCPP Units 1 and 2. The project would enable
DCPP to remain in service until the ends of the current terms of
the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licenses. The current licenses
authorize DCPP Unit 1 to operate until 2021 and Unit 2 to operate
until 2025. However, the existing steam generators have exhibited
degradation and they are currently predicted to reach the end of
their operating life within the next several years. The original
steam generators will eventually reach a state where, under applicable
NRC regulations, either the steam generators must be replaced or
the units must be shut down.
DCPP Units 1 and 2 went into operation in 1985 and 1986, respectively.
DCPP uses eight steam generators, four per unit, which are large
heat exchangers that convert heat from the reactor into steam to
drive the turbine generators and produce electricity. All eight
would be replaced as part of the proposed project. DCPP produces
a combined nominal 2,220 net megawatts of electric power, enough
to power over 2 million homes. The DCPP facility is located on a
remote stretch of coastline in central San Luis Obispo County.
Proponent's Environmental Assessment
(PEA)
PG&E filed a PEA with the Application
in January 2004. This document provided a starting point for the
environmental review process conducted by the CPUC.
Environmental Review Process
The CPUC on October 1, 2004, issued a Notice
of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for DCPP
Steam Generator Replacement Project. Scoping meetings were held
in October 2004. The Public Scoping Report
was completed in December 2004.
The Draft Environmental Impact Report
(DEIR) was issued on March 21, 2005.
The submittal period for written comments
on the Draft EIR ended May 5, 2005.
The Final Environmental Impact Report
(Final EIR) was issued on August 15, 2005. The Final EIR consists
of two volumes: Volume I is the complete EIR showing changes
made to the Draft EIR, and Volume II consists of all comments
on the Draft EIR and responses to comments.
There is no comment period following issuance of the Final EIR.
The CPUC will determine the adequacy of the Final EIR, and, if adequate,
will certify the document as compliant with CEQA. The CPUC will
issue a Decision on the Proposed Project, which will be announced
and published concurrent with a scheduled CPUC Meeting.
For Additional Information
Requests for additional information should be sent to:
Andrew Barnsdale, CPUC Project Manager
c/o Aspen Environmental Group
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 935
San Francisco, CA 94104
E-mail: diablocanyon@aspeneg.com
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