Diablo Canyon holds unrivaled assets for both forging our state’s clean energy future and fortifying our region’s economic landscape.
Ensuring that Diablo Canyon continues to be an economic engine for the region has been a key REACH priority from the very start. With recent state and federal action to keep Diablo running through 2030, the region has gained resources and runway to seed a center of energy resilience and innovation, land conservation and tribal celebration alongside continued critical energy generation.
A collective vision
CleanTech Innovation Park at Parcel P
Work to establish a cleantech innovation park under Cal Poly leadership at Diablo’s 585-acre industrial site is moving forward following extensive community engagement and $10 million in state funding secured.
The vision was first advanced in an open letter signed by local, state and federal government, labor, business and environmental leaders in May 2022.
Vision in brief
What — A clean energy research and development campus
A place where industry and academia can hatch and collaborate on emerging renewable technologies, with a harbor for blue economy activity, a community center for Chumash heritage education and celebration, and a critical platform for enabling California to harness the wind energy right off our coast.
Who — Cal Poly, with public and private partnerships
Cal Poly — a Learn by Doing powerhouse and trusted community partner with access to an extensive network of resources and long history of stewardship — is uniquely positioned to catalyze this vision and has stepped up to carry it forward.
Why — Unrivaled energy assets and good-paying jobs
Diablo Canyon’s industrial site offers unrivaled energy assets, including high-power transmission lines, ocean access and extensive existing facilities, while the region is home to a substantial skilled energy workforce and innovative solar, battery and other clean energy projects. Combined, we have all the elements for a climate-change innovation hub that supports good-paying, future-oriented jobs for our skilled workforce.
When — Planning and co-use underway
Conversations are already underway about co-use of the facilities, and now is the time to seek the long-term partnerships and investments needed to ensure the site remains one of the region’s largest economic assets.
Where — The Parcel P industrial site
This vision encompasses Parcel P, the plant’s 585-acre industrial site — just a fraction of the more than 12,000 surrounding acres of pristine land and 14 miles of undeveloped coastline between Montaña de Oro State Park and Avila Beach.
REACH supports the complementary efforts to determine the best path for conserving the unique natural resources and cultural heritage of this remarkable piece of land and joined three partners in releasing a detailed plan to permanently protect Diablo Canyon Lands while also investing in clean tech innovation.
Partnering for the future
Advancing this vision is a strong and active partnership with local, state, and federal government, labor, education, environmental and tribal representation under REACH coordination.
“The future of Diablo Canyon represents a gateway to the new frontier of the green economy in renewable energy and blue economy in aquaculture.”
“Through investments and incentives, we can attract new businesses that create good-paying jobs and develop programs with the potential to produce highly skilled quality careers, all while setting us on a path toward a more sustainable future.”
“We have a unique opportunity to plan for the future of the Central Coast, including … the implementation of new, renewable energy projects to address the climate change crisis, and to ensure the conservation of and sustainable public access to the Diablo Canyon Lands.”
“This place can be the ideal 21st-century model of energy innovation and energy generation. Preserving the industrial footprint on Parcel P offers the opportunity for San Luis Obispo County to carry on its 100 years-plus tradition of being an energy-exporting county.”
“The Pecho Coast is a remarkable and unique part of our county. We believe that the reuse of the plant site can successfully integrate and celebrate the surrounding landscape.”
“We welcome the opportunity to participate in a community process where our culture, traditions and ancestral connection to the Pecho Coast can guide the future of our homelands.”
Key Recent Activities
- Secured $160 million for Diablo Canyon conservation and economic development as part of SB 846, which laid the path for Diablo to remain open past its planned 2024/2025 closure, followed by a state report on the allocation that embraced the cleantech innovation park concept
- Joined three partners in releasing a detailed plan leveraging state funding to achieve bold conservation and economic development goals and participated in a three-day listening tour with three state agencies.
- Advocated for community interests as part of discussions on extending Diablo Canyon operations in 2022
- Led an extensive, year-long process to forge a shared vision for Diablo Canyon’s next chapter
- Established a wide-ranging partnership among critical stakeholders to pursue future use opportunities
