An initiative that would shut down California’s nuclear power plants was approved May 23 by the state for possible ballot qualification. Its backers now can collect signatures to see if they can get it before the voters. If the measure ultimately qualifies and passes, it could cost ratepayers over $4 billion in stranded asset compensation to utilities, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office. It also could “likely” force the California Independent System Operator to “schedule regular rolling blackouts,” noted the LAO. “The fiscal analysis is biased,” Ben Davis, author of the ballot measure, told Current. He added that the “general public is savvy enough to see through” the analysis and take note of the lessons of the meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear facility. “Obviously, there would be reliability impacts,” noted Stephanie McCorkle, grid operator spokesperson. She added CAISO is assessing how a nuclear plant shutdown would affect the grid--a study that’s “expected soon.” Neither Southern California Edison, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station’s operator, nor Pacific Gas & Electric, Diablo Canyon’s owner and operator, responded to queries before press time. The initiative came as a surprise to established anti-nuclear activists. “This is news to the Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility,” Rochelle Becker, the organization’s executive director, responded. Other activists were similarly stumped. The initiative would extend current state law. Now, no nuclear plant may be built until there’s a long-term high-level radioactive storage facility for nuclear waste. This measure would shut existing plants for the same reason. It requires 504,760 signatures to make it onto the ballot.
