California lawmaker aims to stop closure of Diablo Canyon nuclear plant

PG&E spokeswoman Lynsey Paulo said the company would review the proposed amendment.

“PG&E is deeply committed to helping the state reach its clean energy goals in a way that manages costs for customers, ensures electric reliability and gas safety that they expect and deserve and creates a model program for others to follow,” she said.

Paulo called the existing plan to decommission the nuclear plant a “significant milestone in planning to meet California’s bold clean energy visions” and said PG&E would “continue to focus on safely running Diablo Canyon to the end of its current licenses.”

If passed, the amendment would make nuclear energy part of California’s renewables portfolio standard, which requires utilities to purchase certain amounts of clean power. The amendment would also bar the Legislature from enacting any future energy law that is not “technology neutral,” including with respect to large hydroelectric dams, which are also not currently classified as renewable.

“Future generations — and present ratepayers — deserve nothing less than an ‘all-of-the-above’ approach to fighting climate change,” Cunningham said in the statement from his office.

J.D. Morris is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @thejdmorris