Unusual Event declared at Diablo Canyon Power Plant due to Tsunami Warning

March 11, 2011

AVILA BEACH, Calif. – Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) today responded to a tsunami warning by declaring an Unusual Event at its Diablo Canyon Power Plant Unit 1 and Unit 2 near Avila Beach, Calif. All plant safety systems and components remain in normal operating condition and both units are currently operating at 100 percent power.

The Unusual Event was declared at approximately 1:23 a.m., Friday, March 11, 2011. As defined by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, an Unusual Event is any other-than-normal plant-related condition that does not require any emergency action by the general public or any government authorities. An Unusual Event is the lowest of four levels of emergency classification.

PG&E will continue to monitor the situation and work with local authorities throughout the county. DCPP personnel undergo extensive emergency preparedness training and participate in various exercises throughout the year to ensure they are always ready to safely, swiftly and effectively manage emergency events.

The utility is also assisting with local emergency response efforts. In response to a county declaration for Avila Beach residents to relocate to higher elevation, PG&E has opened its Energy Education Center at 6588 Ontario Road off of Highway 101 in San Luis Obispo.

High swell estimates at Port San Luis may cause flooding near the Avila Beach gate entrance. Diablo Canyon has implemented a plan which allows us to continue to operate the facility safely in the event that access to Diablo Canyon Power Plant is restricted.