Can Nuclear Plants Affect California? Risk Assessment

California faces potential radiological impacts from nuclear plants due to proximity and atmospheric transport:

Nearby Plants

• Diablo Canyon (San Luis Obispo County, CA): State's last operating nuclear plant (scheduled closure 2025)
• Palo Verde (Arizona): Largest U.S. nuclear plant; ~350 miles from CA border

Risk Pathways

• Atmospheric dispersion: Wind patterns can carry emissions across state lines
• Ocean currents: Potential marine pathway (less significant for airborne risk)
• Emergency planning zones: Extend across jurisdictional boundaries

Regulatory Safeguards

NRC and state agencies (California DPH, CEC) maintain monitoring, emergency planning, and coordination. Diablo Canyon's closure will eliminate in-state generation but spent fuel storage remains.

Risk assessed as low but non-zero; subject to continuous evaluation.