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California’s sole nuclear power facility has received a crucial state-level approval (POLITICO Pro, subscription).

What’s going on: Last week, the California Coastal Commission voted to approve the state and federal permits of Pacific Gas & Electric, which operates the Diablo Canyon Power Plant in San Luis Obispo.

• PG&E requires the permits to receive the final green light to keep operating the plant, which had been scheduled to close this year.
• The approvals follow an agreed-upon deal between the commission and power company to conserve and create trails on up to 6,700 acres of the 12,000-acre property on which the plant sits.

Why it’s important: “State officials … [say] the plant remains essential for the reliable operation of California’s electrical grid,” the Los Angeles Times reports.

• “Diablo Canyon provides nearly 9% of the electricity generated in the state, making it the state’s single largest source.”

What it means: The conservation agreement could see the plant stay in operation for decades.

• “While the state [l]egislature only authorized the plant to operate through 2030, PG&E’s federal license renewal would cover 20 years of operations, potentially keeping it online until 2045.”

Our view: “Nuclear is a key source of reliable baseload energy that will be critical to meeting our current and future power needs,” said NAM Director of Energy and Resources Policy Michael Davin.

• “It’s safe, clean and abundant, and the U.S. and our allies require it to keep homes and businesses running. The NAM welcomes the work being done to extend Diablo Canyon’s operations, and manufacturers hope to see more nuclear energy generation come online in the coming years.”