SLO City Council Urges State to Address Safety, Taxes, and Land in Diablo Canyon Extension

City Council letter outlines key concerns as California Legislature considers 20-year extension for nuclear plant.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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The San Luis Obispo City Council voted 5-0 to send a letter to the California State Legislature outlining their position on a proposed 20-year extension for the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant. The letter calls for the legislature to prioritize public safety, reinstate tax revenues for the city and county, and support land conservation efforts before approving the extension.

Why it matters

Diablo Canyon provides 10% of California's electricity and over 1,300 jobs in SLO County, making the plant's future a critical issue for the local community. However, the city council wants to ensure key concerns around safety, taxes, and the environment are addressed before supporting a 20-year extension.

The details

The city council's letter breaks down their position into three main areas: public safety and emergency preparedness, fiscal mitigation and long-term planning, and land conservation. They want to see more safety reviews and funding for preserving surrounding land before approving the extension. The letter also advocates for reinstating the unitary tax revenue that has provided critical funding for local schools and services.

  • On February 4, 2026, the San Luis Obispo City Council voted 5-0 to send the letter to the California State Legislature.
  • The California Legislature is expected to introduce an initial bill on the Diablo Canyon extension on February 20, 2026.

The players

San Luis Obispo City Council

The governing body of the city of San Luis Obispo, California, which voted to send a letter to the state legislature outlining their position on the proposed 20-year extension for the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant.

California State Legislature

The state legislature of California, which is deliberating on whether to approve a 20-year extension for the operation of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant.

Diablo Canyon

A nuclear power plant located in San Luis Obispo County, California that provides 10% of the state's electricity and over 1,300 jobs in the local community.

Michelle Shoresman

A San Luis Obispo City Council member and one of the main authors of the letter to the state legislature regarding the Diablo Canyon extension.

Jan Marx

A San Luis Obispo City Council member and one of the main authors of the letter to the state legislature regarding the Diablo Canyon extension.

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What they’re saying

“Being pressured by other cities or the board of supervisors, or unions, or pro-nuclear activists, we feel that pressure. But, in the long run our job is to represent the people who vote us into office.”

— Jan Marx, San Luis Obispo City Council member (mustangnews.net)

“I think it's important that we focus on the revenues that are going to my kids. And it's really just paying property taxes, that's really what it comes down to.”

— Ben Licker, Founder, The San Luis Coastal Parent Network (mustangnews.net)

“Five additional years is simply not enough. Our community relies on this revenue to support local schools and essential services and the loss of the unitary tax has already had real and massive impacts.”

— Rachel Whalen, Government Affairs Officer, SLO County (mustangnews.net)

What’s next

The California Legislature is expected to introduce an initial bill on the Diablo Canyon extension on February 20, 2026, which will kick off formal deliberations on the proposed 20-year extension.

The takeaway

The San Luis Obispo City Council's letter highlights the complex tradeoffs involved in the Diablo Canyon extension, with the city seeking to balance the plant's economic importance against concerns over public safety, tax revenue, and environmental impacts. As the state legislature weighs the extension, addressing these community priorities will be crucial.