Man detained after trespassing on PG&E land near Diablo Canyon

A man trespassed on PG&E property surrounding Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant Thursday afternoon, causing the utility to briefly declare an unusual event at the plant.

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office detained, questioned and released an unidentified man on the Point Buchon Trail in Montaña de Oro State Park, about a half mile from the trailhead, as a result of the incident.

The unusual event was declared at 2:43 p.m. and was lifted at 4:02 p.m. Thursday.

The unusual event declaration is a standard response to such an event and follows protocols set by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which includes notification of law enforcement and state and local partners, said Blair Jones, PG&E spokesman.

Such an event is declared for any plant-related, outside-of-normal condition that does not require any emergency action by the general public or any government authorities. It is the lowest of four emergency classifications established by the NRC.

The plant continued normal operation during the incident.

This story was originally published January 18, 2016 at 3:25 PM with the headline "Man detained after trespassing on PG&E land near Diablo Canyon."