Climate Science and Policy

Since the introduction of nuclear fission in 1938, nuclear energy generators have provided power at state, national, and global levels. As climate change conditions worsen, the clean, firm energy provided by these reactors may be needed to support growing renewable energy plans with intermittency problems. However, with the introduction of a 1976 California moratorium on newnuclear facilities there is no outlined future for nuclear energy, even if there is currently a large reliance on it. Understanding the history of nuclear research, as well as California nuclear energy history in the context of energy consumption can provide a unique perspective into if California will continue to invest in its remaining nuclear power plant, Diablo Canyon in order to meetstrict 2030 and 2045 clean energy goals. To fully explore the potential of Diablo Canyon as a case study for nuclear generation in California, researchers and consumers must be aware of historical public perception, the policy environment, and what potential solutions there are to long-standing storage issues.