California utility judge cut proposed cost for nuke closure

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A state judge has recommended that California's largest utility be allowed to increase customer rates by nearly $200 million for costs tied to the planned closing of the state's last operating nuclear plant.

If approved, the plan for the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant is expected to add just pennies a month to bills for Pacific Gas & Electric Co. customers.

The proposal from a California Public Utilities Commission judge Wednesday trimmed tens of millions of dollars from the request from PG&E.

The judge also set aside a plan to use $85 million for assistance for local governments, saying it would require legislative authorization.

A company proposal calls for Diablo Canyon, midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, to close by 2025.

The commission could consider the proposal in December.