Whereas, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff stated on July 15, 2003, that it expected ALL nuclear utilities to file license renewal applications in the next few years; and

Whereas, the County Board of Supervisors previously expressed concern regarding additional storage of high-level radioactive waste and filed its concerns in the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's licensing proceedings for PG&E's application for expanded onsite storage of nuclear waste; and

Whereas, Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E), owner and operator of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant (Diablo), has begun feasibility studies regarding applying for a license renewal for an additional 20 years of operation, which could extend its operating life until 2045; and

Whereas, PG&E was originally permitted to operate Diablo based on siting regulations that are no longer valid and if PG&E were filing today for an initial license to operate Diablo, it could not be granted by the NRC under its current standards and regulations, and

Whereas, Diablo is located near the active Hosgri earthquake fault zone, recognized by the United States Geological Survey to be capable of generating major earthquakes, and whereas seismology is a science in flux, with new insights being gathered after each major earthquake; and

Whereas, the two billion gallons of ocean water the Diablo plant takes into the plant each day kill (entrain) fish and fish larvae; and

Whereas, major components have been onsite subject to salt water and sea air intrusion and it is widely known that aging nuclear power plants are more vulnerable to equipment failure; and Whereas, after the events of September 11, 2001, the possibility of more powerful and more precise weapons in the wrong hands must be taken into consideration and Diablo and all nuclear plants with onsite highly radioactive waste are prime targets for acts of terrorism or war; and

Whereas, such an attack, if successful, or a severe accident could render much of the County uninhabitable for generations and cause thousands of casualties and such continuous threats are intolerable to the people of San Luis Obispo County; and

Whereas, current NRC policies fail to provide defense-in-depth to sufficiently secure nuclear plants and waste sites against such threats; and

Whereas, other cost-competitive and less risky energy options are readily available today; and

Whereas, renewal of licenses, whether generic or site specific, that are granted decades in advance of the expiration of the existing license makes a mockery of the very purpose of re-licensing procedures; and

Whereas, it is the responsibility of this lawmaking body, in the interest of public health and safety, to call on the NRC to reject at this time any applications for license renewal for the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant until issues of new seismic information, high level radioactive waste storage and safe transportation to such sites are resolved,

Therefore be it

Resolved, that the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors opposes at this time any relicensing, generic or specific, of Diablo Canyon Units 1 & 2 until issues of the above stated concerns are resolved; and be it

Resolved, that the Board urges the NRC to prohibit Diablo Units 1 & 2 from being re-licensed at the present time, and to make this finding as soon as possible, so that all concerned and involved parties can devote their time conducting cost-benefit analysis of continued nuclear operation and devote their resources to finding alternatives to the existing nuclear power plants, and be it further

Resolved, that the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors forward the text of this resolution to the San Luis Obispo County's state and federal delegation, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, all relevant oversight agencies and Pacific Gas & Electric Company, so that the intent of this Honorable Board be widely known.

Rochelle Becker, Project Manager to Oppose Extended Licensing San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace P.O. Box 164 Pismo Beach, CA 93448 (805) 773-3881 www.mothersforpeace.org