"The California Coastal Commission cites potentially deadly harm to threatened and endangered marine animals in denying PG&E a permit to conduct the tests near the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant."

"The California Coastal Commission, concerned about harm to fish and marine mammals, on Wednesday scuttled Pacific Gas & Electric Co.'s plan to conduct seismic surveys with underwater air cannons offshore of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant.

The commission's 10-0 vote followed a marathon hearing in the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. Commission staff and environmentalists debated utility officials throughout the day over the potential damage the sonic blasts would cause near scenic Morro Bay on the Cental California coast.

The tests would have potentially deadly effects on threatened and endangered marine mammals, including whales, sea otters and 2,000 harbor porpoises that could be driven out of their Morro Bay foraging grounds, staff members said.

The commission also questioned whether the surveys were necessary."

Louis Sahagun reports for the Los Angeles Times November 15, 2012. [2]