County Wants Hold On Diablo Nuclear Plant's License Renewal

SAN LUIS OBISPO (CBS/AP) — County supervisors on California's central coast want operators of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant to suspend license renewal efforts until more earthquake safety studies are completed.

San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Adam Hill says the Japan quake, tsunami and radiation from crippled nuclear reactors has led to intense public concern and mistrust of Pacific Gas & Electric assurances that the twin-reactor plant is safe.

The San Luis Obispo County Tribune reports that after testimony from nearly 50 people Tuesday night, three of the five county supervisors called for PG&E to voluntarily suspend its license renewal request.

Hill says he will draft a letter for board approval asking the utility for peer-reviewed seismic studies.

Supervisors wrote the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission a year ago for a delay in license renewal.

Rep. Lois Capps last week called for a halt to Diablo Canyon's license renewal until earthquake threats could be thoroughly reviewed.

(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)