The last nuclear plant in California – and the unexpected quest to save it

The Diablo Canyon nuclear plant, on the edge of the Pacific ocean, was due to close in three years. Photograph: Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images The Diablo Canyon facility, which provides 9% of the state’s energy, was due to shutter in 2025, but the state’s energy crunch could save it. California’s last nuclear plant was nearing the end …

PJM capacity prices fall 32% with more nuclear, solar capacity clearing in the latest auction

Capacity prices across most of the PJM Interconnection fell 32% to a 10-year low of $34.13/MW-day from $50/MW-day in the previous auction, possibly reflecting recent rule changes, the grid operator said Tuesday. PJM bought 144,871 MW of capacity for the capacity year that starts June 1, 2023, for $2.2 billion, down from $4 billion in the last …

Biden Proposes Changes to Help Rescue California Nuclear Plant

The US Department of Energy is proposing changes requested by California Governor Gavin Newsom that will allow the state’s last nuclear power plant to qualify for federal financial assistance. The Energy Department proposed removing a requirement that would have prevented PG&E Corp.’s Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant from getting a portion of $6 billion in …

Dianne Feinstein: Why I changed my mind about California’s Diablo Canyon nuclear plant

California is a global model in the fight against climate change, but the balance necessary to achieve carbon neutrality is delicate and the obstacles many. Longer, hotter summers mean more electricity use, while worsening droughts limit hydropower. With the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant scheduled to close, state regulators project years of electricity shortfalls. As …

Aging Fukui nuclear unit to restart in Aug., 2 months early

An aging nuclear reactor in central Japan’s Fukui Prefecture will resume operating in August, about two months earlier than scheduled, with the unit expected to help ease tight electricity supply conditions during the busy summer season, its operator said Friday. After being offline for about 10 years, Kansai Electric Power Co.’s Mihama No. 3 reactor …

Philippine government expert urges adoption of small nuclear reactors

Carlo Arcilla, director of the Department of Science and Technology, said the advanced nuclear reactors could provide the country with continuous energy with zero pollution. As the incoming administration of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. considers the inclusion of nuclear power in the country’s energy mix, the government’s nuclear science chief is pushing for the adoption …

Japan calls for strict examinations in nuclear oversight – draft document

Japan will move forward with the safe restart of nuclear power plants and include strict examinations in its nuclear regulatory oversight, the final draft of its annual economic policy outline seen by Reuters showed. The government aims to speed up decarbonisation and improve energy self-sufficiency, and the use of power sources with a high decarbonisation …

Xcel Energy aims to produce carbon-free hydrogen by 2024 with new pilot

Xcel Energy has begun work at the Prairie Island Nuclear Plant on a project that could expand business and aid the company’s 2050 carbon neutrality goal. Xcel says the pilot, for which the U.S. Department of Energy allocated $12 million, will create the potential for Prairie Island to use excess carbon-free nuclear energy to make …

Japan’s Kishida pledges to restart idled nuclear power plants

Japanese prime minister’s remarks come as Ukraine war highlights country’s reliance on Russian oil and gas. Japan will move to restart idled nuclear power plants to make maximum use of nuclear power in order to stabilise energy prices and supply, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said. Tokyo will take “concrete steps” to restart plants that …