Pacific Gas & Electric Corp’s second quarter earnings dip. Financial analysts probe company officials about their plans for the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant and whether an extension of operations will be pursued. Company CEO Patti Poppe says time is of the essence and wants certainty from the state.

Extreme climate events like heat waves and wildfires threaten California grid reliability, especially with delayed renewable builds and new demand. Energy Commission Vice-Chair Siva Gunda said this is forcing urgent action like big spending for new resources and keeping aging nuclear and natural gas plants online.

At the same time, Gov. Gavin Newsom directs air quality regulators to aim for lower emissions in the state 2022 climate scoping plan. That means excluding new gas plants and adding more offshore wind. It also continues reliance on carbon capture.

The resiliency crisis is leading to big demand for Bloom Energy fuel cells that can keep power flowing during blackouts and provide independent power 24/7 at public and private industrial sites. Bloom opens a large factory in Fremont to accommodate the growth.

Nuclear watchdogs are asking regulators to require PG&E to commit to a tighter cleanup standard at the Diablo nuclear power plant when it is decommissioned. The advocates are up against a strong tide to extend operations although the plant will be shut down at some point.