Press Releases

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) released the following statement after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to undermine the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s ability to independently and responsibly regulate civilian nuclear activity in the United States. The order, titled “Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission,” directs the Commission to facilitate the expansion of nuclear energy, coordinate with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut staff and overhaul existing regulations, set time limits on license application reviews, and reduce public input under the guise of streamlining.

“The Central Coast is home to California’s last remaining active nuclear power plant, Diablo Canyon. Our community understands that safety must always come first when using nuclear energy,” said Rep. Carbajal. “President Trump’s order to shake up the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is yet another reckless decision that could weaken the agency’s ability to protect communities near nuclear plants. I will fight any attempts to roll back the safety and environmental protections that keep Central Coast residents safe.”

Diablo Canyon, situated just north of Avila Beach in San Luis Obispo County, generates 9% of California’s total electricity.

In February 2024, Rep. Carbajal, along with Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA-49), introduced legislation to raise the design standards on waste canisters for spent nuclear fuel. The 100 Year Canister Act would require the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to change the minimum design lifespan for canisters from the current regulation of 40 years to 100 years. This bill would ensure spent nuclear fuel remains safe within its canister for longer as more long-term solutions are developed to store and ultimately dispose of spent nuclear fuel.