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PG&E will cooperate with federal investigators over retaliation claims at Diablo, spokeswoman says.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co., owners of Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant, said the utility will cooperate with the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission as it investigates recent allegations that workers at the plant face retaliation if they bring up safety concerns.

"PG&E is committed to the continued safe operation of Diablo Canyon Power Plant, and we expect and encourage all employees to immediately share any information they have about the safe operations of the plant so we can assess the concern and take any necessary actions," said plant spokeswoman Emily Christensen.

The allegations were raised in a letter to the NRC by the local nuclear watchdog group, the San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace. The group was contacted by at least one worker who claimed he suffered a degraded performance evaluation after raising safety concerns during a recent refueling shutdown.

– David Sneed