PhotoFew nuclear power plants have been as contentious as Diablo Canyon. From a climate perspective, the smart strategy in such cases would be to hold on to the nuclear plants until a California-like transition to greenhouse-gas-free electricity is feasible. Equally important, the agreement could serve as a positive example for other states and nations that may in time need to replace aging nuclear plants without increasing carbon emissions. Approvals will be needed from two state agencies, the California State Lands Commission and the state’s Public Utilities Commission. It also reliably kills enormous quantities of marine life with a cooling system that depends on huge intakes and discharges of seawater.

Source: New York Times June 27, 2016 07:18 UTC