PG&E Submitted False Cost Data in Diablo Canyon Case, New EP Investigation Finds

Dear Michele, I'm writing to let you know some important news: Environmental Progress (EP) has discovered that Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) submitted false cost information to justify its request to close California's last nuclear plant and raise electricity rates. And here's the most amazing part: PG&E's cost claims are contradicted by the key California state official, his consultant and by PG&E's consultant. The implications are huge. PG&E's entire CPUC Application to raise rates rests on this cost information. As such, the CPUC — bound by law to protect ratepayers over special interests — cannot allow PG&E to raise rates. And if PG&E cannot raise rates, it cannot justify closing Diablo Canyon.   EP has put these facts an official "Protest" of PG&E's proposal to the CPUC (link to full text below). EP also finds that achieving California's new climate target will requiring reducing emissions seven times faster between now and 2030 than it did between 2000 and 2014 — all while California's population and electricity demand are likely to grow at least 13 percent.   Achieving that goal with a rising population and electric car use will require keeping and expanding — not taking down — clean power plants like Diablo Canyon. Michael PG&E Submitted False Cost Data in Diablo Canyon Case,  EP Investigation Finds [click for full text] September 19, 2016 Summary Only: 1. Emissions from California's power sector have been rising since 2011. 2. Achieving California’s 2030 climate objective will require that the state reduce carbon emissions at a rate seven times faster than it did from 2000 to 2014. 3. California’s population is rising and electricity consumption will likely rise with it. 4. Achieving California’s climate goals will require at least 5 million electric cars requiring the same amount of power produced by Diablo Canyon. 5. More energy efficiency spending may raise rates without lowering consumption. 6. In order to justify raising electricity rates, PG&E falsely claims that Diablo Canyon will require expensive cooling towers. 7. If Diablo Canyon is closed it will be replaced mostly by fossil fuels — either within PG&E’s “bundled load,” its service territory, California, or the United States — that will increase premature deaths from air pollution and/or accidents. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------