Legal Battle Over California's Last Nuclear Power Plant Ends in Setback for Environmental Group

A California judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by environmental group Friends of the Earth, which sought to block the extension of the operating life of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. The group argued that a 2016 agreement to close the plant by 2025 was still in effect, but the judge ruled that the court should not interfere with state regulatory oversight. The group may appeal the decision. The plant's operating licenses expire in 2024 and 2025, and the utility intends to apply for an extension of up to two decades. California, known for its environmental movement, is aiming to cut emissions and expand clean energy sources.