Feb. 18, 2019

Dear Governor Newsom & CPUC Commissioners:

As the Executive Board of the Progressive Caucus of the California Democratic Party, we urge you to immediately order bankrupt PG& E, owner and operator of the 35-year old Diablo Canyon nuclear plant, to conduct comprehensive safety testing at the nuclear facility in San Luis Obispo County. We understand Reactor 1 will be shut down this month for scheduled refueling, but before the utility spends millions more inserting new radioactive fuel rods it should test the plant — which sits on or near several active active earthquake faults — for seismic vulnerability, vessel cracking, embrittlement and waste storage. Once the tests are completed, the results should be shared at a public hearing — all before the nuclear facility-slated to be closed in 2024 and 2025 — reopens for operation.

With PG&E steeped in liability lawsuits related to the NorCal wildfires and gas explosion, the utility has asked state regulators for $6 billion to operate during bankruptcy proceedings. Any state funds afforded PG&E should be contingent upon the utility conducting comprehensive safety tests. It is imperative we protect California from further loss of life and financial liability.

Sincerely,

Karen Bernal-Progressive Caucus Chair; Susie Shannon-Progressive Caucus Vice-Chair, Southern CA; Zach Denny-Progressive Caucus Vice Chair, Central California; Mark Van Landuyt-Progressive Caucus Vice-Chair, Northern California; Marcy Winograd –Progressive Caucus Secretary; Marlin Medrano-Progressive Caucus Treasurer; Cari Templeton-Progressive Caucus Media & Social Communications Chair; Phillip Kim-Progressive Caucus Member at Large.