II. Background
Diablo is a nuclear power plant consisting of two units, Unit 1 and Unit 2, with a capacity of approximately 2,260 megawatts (MW).4 It generates approximately 17,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity each year, or about 20% of the electric energy delivered by PG&E in its service territory. It is located on the California coast 7.5 miles north of Avila Beach, in San Luis Obispo County. Each of the two units has four steam generators manufactured by Westinghouse Electric Corporation (Westinghouse). In each steam generator, the heat from water circulated through the reactor is used to turn another stream of water into steam that is used to run the turbines that drive the electric generators.
Diablo is currently licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to operate until 2024 (Unit 1) and 2025 (Unit 2).5 PG&E estimates that Diablo will likely be required to shut down because of the degradation of the steam generators in 2013 (Unit 2) and 2014 (Unit 1). As a result, PG&E is requesting approval in this application for its SGRP.
Hearings were held from September 20 through October 1, 2004. The application was submitted upon the receipt of reply briefs on November 9, 2004. The proceeding remains open to consider the results of the CEQA review.
4 This includes a 40 MW increase in capacity due to the low-pressure turbine rotor replacement scheduled for 2005-6. 5 This assumes recapture of the approximately three years of operating license for Unit 1 consumed prior to fuel loading and full-power operation. PG&E forecasts an 80% probability of NRC approval of its request for recapture.
