IFPTE Applauds Extension of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant

This week, Governor Gavin Newsom approved the expenditure of $75 million to keep the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant running.  For decades, this facility has provided good-paying, reliable jobs for hundreds of union members, including those represented by Engineers and Scientists of California (ESC/IFPTE Local 20).

ESC President and IFPTE Western Area Vice President John Mader commended Governor Newsom for the decision.  "This action supports three key priorities that IFPTE shares with the Biden Administration: creating union jobs, combating climate change, and providing our families and the economy with a reliable source of energy," Mader said.  "We have been working on this specific issue for years, as well as promoting the benefits of nuclear power in general, and we believe this marks a critical step in the right direction for California and for the nation."

IFPTE Secretary-Treasurer Gay Henson joined in President Mader's support for the decision to keep Diablo Canyon open.  "Coming from the nuclear division within the Tennessee Valley Authority, I know firsthand the important role that nuclear power will play in our nation's future clean energy mix," Henson said.  "While we need to increase wind and solar energy production, the fact remains that we cannot continue to support the world's largest economy, while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions, without increasing our nuclear energy portfolio."

IFPTE President Matt Biggs called on Congress and the Biden Administration to further their commitment to, and investment in, nuclear energy.  "While we applaud this decision, we see it as a starting point in the conversation about our nation's energy future," Biggs said.  "We will continue to work with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and other key leaders within the Department of Energy to encourage a significant and rapid investment in nuclear energy, particularly new technologies like the Small Modular Reactor.  Working with Congress, the Administration and our partner employers, we can make real progress in our priority trifecta of job creation, clean energy and reliable energy."