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.

Notice of Preparation and Project Scoping

The CPUC on October 1, 2004, issued a Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for DCPP Steam Generator Replacement Project. In order to gather information on public and agency concerns about the project as proposed and recommendations about alternatives, two public scoping meetings have been scheduled for October 27, 2004, at the following times and location:

Comments on specific topics and alternatives that should be included in the EIR can be mailed to:

Nicolas Procos
California Public Utilities Commission
c/o Aspen Environmental Group
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 935
San Francisco, CA 94104

Comments can also be submitted by fax: (805) 888-2750. Email comments can be sent to the following address: diablocanyon@aspeneg.com.

All comments must be postmarked by November 1, 2004.

Proponent's Environmental Assessment (PEA)

The PEA may be viewed here. It should be noted that there have been a number of data requests and data responses for this project, which have provided additional clarification on project components as well as construction and operation activities. The latest information for this project will be provided in the project description of the Draft EIR that is currently being prepared for the DCPP Steam Generator Replacement Project.

Draft Environmental Impact Report

The CPUC is currently preparing a Draft EIR for the proposed project. When completed, the Draft EIR will be released for public review and will be available on this website.

For Additional Information

The CPUC, through its Environmental Review Team, is conducting an environmental review of the project. The CPUC's Project Manager is:

Nicolas Procos, CPUC Project Manager
California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco CA 94102
Tel. (415) 703-5289
Fax (415) 703-2200
Email: NBP@cpuc.ca.gov

To request additional information or to be added to the mailing list, please contact us by email, fax, or phone, as follows:

Project email: diablocanyon@aspeneg.com
Project fax and voicemail: (805) 888-2750