Pacific Gas & Electric’s request for $64 million to advance seismic studies at its Diablo Canyon nuclear plant is tripping sensitive policy questions, as well as revealing that the utility remains unclear about the earthquake landscape around the plant. “It’s clear we underestimated the magnitude” of the studies when PG&E was granted $17 million to do initial research, said Stuart Nishenko, PG&E senior seismologist at a California Public Utilities Commission workshop Jan. 23. He added the utility thought it needed the seismic “equivalent of an X-ray--now it needs a CAT scan.” In addition to the CPUC and California Energy Commission, policy makers looking into Diablo Canyon’s seismic safety also include the State Lands Commission and San Luis Obispo County. (The plant is located in that county.) The Lands Commission is seeking an Environmental Impact Report for the seismic work--which includes large equipment that thumps the ground. Environmentalists and the county are anxious for the results. If the money for studies is approved and the inquiries show there are imminent earthquake hazards, then representatives from those entities and PG&E noted it’s better to understand the risks now rather than waiting on an earthquake.