Why we got involved:

As California inched closer to shuttering Diablo Canyon, the state’s only remaining nuclear power plant, Save Clean Energy (SCE) stepped up to stop the closure. With California setting ambitious goals to to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to 100% renewable energy by 2045, SCE knew that shutting down Diablo Canyon would result in the loss of 17% of California's clean energy supply (and 9% of its total electrical supply), which would severely hinder the state's ability to meet its reduction targets. Shutting down Diablo Canyon would have required California to turn to fossil fuels to make up the energy shortfall. SCE refused to let California take a critical misstep with disastrous consequences for California's climate goals.

What we did:

We organized, advocated, lobbied, campaigned, and fundraised. Most importantly, we won. In partnership with tireless efforts of grassroots activists and organizers across California and the nation, SCE played a key role in pressuring lawmakers and Governor Gavin Newsom to extend operations at Diablo Canyon. In late 2022, the Biden Administration approved $1.1 billion in funding to maintain operations at Diablo Canyon.

Why this is important:

Climate change poses an existential threat to the future of our planet. Promoting clean power options is critical to a zero-emissions energy strategy. Nuclear is a reliable, proven, and scalable source of clean energy that can provide large amounts of electricity around the clock. While nuclear power poses some challenges, nuclear power is the safest, cleanest, and most reliable energy source for a carbon-free future. Shutting down Diablo Canyon would undermine California's climate goals.