The Debate Over Diablo Canyon

The California legislature has passed SB 846, extending the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant five years past its original expiration date in 2025. It’s California’s only operational nuclear plant, located near San Luis Obispo.

But the debate continues. Pro-nuclear proponents say shutting down Diablo means killing an energy source that's reliable and cheap, although “cheap" depends on who ask. Opponents say Diablo wastes millions of gallons of water for cooling and sits on several earthquake faults, bringing up concerns over what would happen in nuclear-plant disaster like in the case of Chernobyl or Fukushima.

KCSB speaks with those on opposite ends of the debate: pro-nuclear proponent Michael Shellenberger, and opponent Linda Steeley with the grassroots organization San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace.

Reporting by KCSB's Robert Stark and Ashley Rusch.