YES WE CAN!
WE CAN'T DO THIS ALONE - DONATE NOW
A Message from Rochelle
I am beginning to believe in this current political mantra. There is an excitement in the air and a new attitude that is refreshing. We are witnessing increasing doubt that nuclear is the energy source of the future and grave concern that the cost of nuclear will divert money from exciting alternative solutions to climate concerns.
Last month was spent on several productive projects that we believe will further our mission to limit the production of radioactive waste to current license terms for Diablo Canyon and San Onofre.
- SCE Requests $17 million, Alliance says steps to relicense the San Onofre Nuclear Station are premature.
The Alliance intervened with the Sierra Club, CALPIRG, Environment California Research and Policy Center and California Church Impact to question SCE's on its request for $17 million to study license renewal. It would be premature to charge ratepayers for the utility to study whether its aging reactors can limp along for 20 years after nuclear operating licenses expire. Though we could not afford legal representation we reviewed all relevant documents and asked questions of SCE on issues including: decommissioning, earthquake updates, water degradation from daily operation, radioactive waste, security, etc. We did make it clear to SCE and the California Public Utilities Commission that a decision to allow SCE to plan for license renewal means a diversion of funding to replace aging reactors on our seismically active coast with truly renewable, safe and efficient energy. Letters to Commissioner Michael Peevey, President of the California Public Utilities Commission adding your voice to those opposing license renewal are very important ( http://a4nr.org/letters/07.07.2008-peeveyltrresongs/view )
- Lack of transparency and follow up on public concerns addressed
On June 12, 2008, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission held a conference call to discuss lack of recognition of public comments in final rulemaking on emergency planning. The Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility, Riverkeeper, Union of Concerned Scientists, NIRS, Greenpeace and other reactor safety organization addressed the perceived lack of recognition of public input or NRC follow up on comment provided to protect citizens from the possibility of radioactive exposure. This lack of transparency and willingness to respect the public’s participation will be addressed with Congressional Representatives this month in Washington, DC by the Alliance.
- The Alliance files to intervene with the Department of Energy commenting on impacts to California from the proposed Yucca Mountain radioactive storage site to shared water sources and radioactive waste transport.
For the past few years the Alliance has been educating California legislators on the impacts to California if Yucca Mountain should open. Twelve percent of the nation's waste is proposed to travel in and out of California in order to reach the repository. This proposed plan would expose millions of Californians to a possible radioactive release due to train or truck accident or sabotage. Who will pay to train and equip California's first responders? Who will pay to upgrade our rails and roads for these heavy radioactive shipments? How will these shipments impact on time delivery of commercial freight, especially on old and single track rail systems? All questions yet to be resolved by the DOE, DOT or the NRC.
- A4NR represented at Nation Activist Summit on Nuclear Waste.
On May 29 Molly Johnson flew to Columbia, South Carolina to attend the National Activist Summit on Nuclear Waste. Approximately 75 anti-nuclear activists from around the country attended this two-day summit. Molly helped to lead a workshop panel that discussed state's rights and responsibilities in regards to nuclear power and nuclear waste. Many other topics regarding nuclear waste were discussed and many actions items were planned to come out of this summit meeting. Look for National Cask-et Day and other national days of action. We'll also be letting you know about other actions to be taken in the future.
- Alliance outreach coordinator David Weisman has completed a 30 minute version of the documentary video, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Nuclear Power - but were afraid to ask. The finished DVD will be available for community access television stations, public screenings and town meetings, and each individual segment will be posted via You Tube later this summer. Check back to www.a4nr.org for an announcement and link when the clips are ready to be viewed.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Aug 7th CEC public hearing on draft cost, benefit and risk analysis of California's dependence on aging nuclear reactors in Sacramento. If you are interested in attending this hearing in Sacramento and would like to carpool please let us know and the Alliance will coordinate transportation.
Oct 29th and 30th We are delighted to announce Dr. Arjun Makhijani, author of Carbon Free Nuclear Free a roadmap for U.S. Energy Policy and S. David Freeman, author of Winning Our Energy Independence: An Energy Insider Shows How, will be speaking at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on Oct 29, 2008 and at USD in San Diego Oct 30th. They will share the insights of their new books update their conclusions. There will be a benefit with both men for the Alliance following the event. Mark the date on your calendar — you won’t want to miss it!
Please support the Alliance efforts to end production of highly-radioactive waste on our coast by 2025. Listed below are some of our average costs for doing this public advocacy, and how you can help offset these expenses.
- $150 - a round-trip ticket to Sacramento to educate our legislators and oversight agencies
- $100 – a hotel for one night on trips or speaking engagements to educate California ratepayers as well as Sacramento and Washington, DC representatives
- Donation of frequent flyer miles
- Donation of hotel coupons
Any amount helps, but these are our major expenses.
To sign up for newsletter and/or alerts: www.a4nr.org
In Peace
Rochelle
WE CAN'T DO THIS ALONE - DONATE NOW
Rochelle Becker, Executive Director Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility
www.a4nr.org
(858) 337 2703
Upcoming Events
Important events for the Alliance
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Rochelle's Annual Peace Potato Party
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Breaking News
Here's the latest news
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Most States Can Be Energy Independent, New Report Shows
A new report by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) suggests that at least half of the fifty states could achieve energy self-sufficiency with the help of locally-focused federal energy policy. The findings should inform the energy policy of President-elect Barack Obama.
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State poll: People like wind power, not nuclear waste
A new type of polling done for the Department of Public Service found most respondents "extremely concerned" about nuclear waste and so supportive of wind power they wouldn't mind a wind farm within sight of their homes.
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REASONABLE DOUBT
Among the many environmental concerns surrounding nuclear power plants, there is one that provokes public anxiety like no other: the fear that children living near nuclear facilities face an increased risk of cancer. Though a link has long been suspected, it has never been proven. Now that seems likely to change.
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The Unquenchable Fire - Is Nuclear Power Green?
We are told that nuclear power is about to achieve a "green renaissance," "clean coal" is just around the corner, and municipal garbage is a "renewable resource," which, when burned, will yield "sustainable energy." On the other hand, sometimes we are told that solar, geothermal and tidal power are what we really need to "green" our energy system.
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Under Obama, nuclear industry faces tough test - President-elect still vague about his degree of support
The nuclear industry's hopes for a renaissance are still on. But with President-elect Barack Obama taking office in January, and Democrats retaining control of Congress, the industry knows its uphill battle has not gotten any easier on Capitol Hill - especially with the instability of the world's financial markets.
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Areva's Finnish nuclear costs rise sharply
France's Areva will have to take a provision because of a nuclear reactor project in Finland where costs have spiralled to 4.5 billion euros ($6.66 billion) from a planned 3 billion, French newspaper Les Echos said on Thursday.
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Duke doubles cost estimate for nuclear plant
Duke Energy Carolinas has raised the expected construction costs of its proposed Lee Nuclear Station to $11 billion, excluding financing costs. That's roughly twice the company's original estimates.
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Green Investments and Jobs: A Response to the Heritage Foundation
Over the long term, a $1 million increase in green investment spending that is offset by a $1 million reduction in spending within the oil industry will still produce a net increase of 12.5 jobs.
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Forget Nukes, Go Renewable Energy
Governor Schwarzenegger endorsed Senator McCain for president and supported his energy proposal to build more nuclear reactors. Yet, our new president has expressed his concern for nuclear safety and the lack of a permanent solution to nuclear power's deadly byproduct: high-level radioactive waste.
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Fire Hazards at Reactors Leave Millions at Risk (from Beyond Nuclear)
Deliberate bureaucratic negligence has left millions of Americans exposed to unnecessarily high risks from fire hazards at the nation’s nuclear power reactors for more than a decade, according to a new report written by experts at Union of Concerned Scientists, Beyond Nuclear and NC WARN.
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THE FLAWED ECONOMICS OF NUCLEAR POWER
“Over the last few years the nuclear industry has used concerns about climate change to argue for a nuclear revival. Although industry representatives may have convinced some political leaders that this is a good idea, there is little evidence of private capital investing in nuclear plants in competitive electricity markets,” says Lester R. Brown, President of the Earth Policy Institute, in a recent release, The Flawed Economics of Nuclear Power. “The reason is simple: nuclear power is uneconomical.”
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Conclusions - CEC Draft Report Sept 2008
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Earthquakes May Endanger New York More Than Thought; Nuclear Power Plant Seen As Particular Risk
A study by a group of prominent seismologists suggests that a pattern of subtle but active faults makes the risk of earthquakes to the New York City area substantially greater than formerly believed. Among other things, they say that the controversial Indian Point nuclear power plants, 24 miles north of the city, sit astride the previously unidentified intersection of two active seismic zones.
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Progress Energy will ask for rate hike in Florida
Progress Energy Florida will ask the state to approve a 31 percent customer rate hike partly to help pay for two new nuclear power plants. The company said Friday the increase will amount to an extra $34.27 monthly for a user of 1,000 kilowatt hours. If approved by the state Public Service Commission later this year, the hike will take effect in January.
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Nuclear Shortcuts Exposed In U.S. Nuclear Fuel Facility
US regulators have ignored expert safety advice in an attempt to cut corners and fast track the completion of a $4 billion nuclear fuel facility currently under construction near Aiken, South Carolina.
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Areva faces 50 pct cost rise for Finnish nuclear reactor
French nuclear group Areva is facing a 50 percent rise to the cost of building the world's first next-generation pressurised water reactor in Finland, the business daily Les Echos reported Thursday. The cost of constructing the plant at Olkiluoto has risen from three billion to 4.5 billion euros (6.7 billion dollars), the paper reported citing an unidentified source.
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Nuclear plant workers evacuated
Human error is being blamed for a radiation spike at the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant that prompted the evacuation of about a dozen workers from the main reactor building for about two hours.
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LA Times Letter to the Editor
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FRANCE'S NUCLEAR CONUNDRUM - Atomic World Champ on the Ropes
France is proud of having the world's most developed nuclear energy infrastructure, but a series of incidents at the Tricastin nuclear power plant has shaken its self-confidence. Is public sentiment about nuclear power about to shift? The winegrowers have already made their move. No longer will they label their product Côteaux du Tricastin. Why? Because the name Tricastin is slowly beginning to stand for something far removed from fine wine.
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Efficiency, renewable energy are much cheaper than nukes
When Arjun Makhijani talks about generating electricity with nuclear power, he knows of what he speaks. His Ph.D. is from UC-Berkeley in nuclear engineering, and he has authored numerous books on energy, including the first evaluation conducted of energy efficiency potential in the U.S. economy. His most recent tome, “Carbon-Free and Nuclear-Free,” is a no-nonsense policy guide for ending our dependence on fossil fuels without incurring massive debt — and courting potential disaster — by expanding our nuclear-generation capacity.
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Recent Articles
Recent articles of interest posted on the ANR website
Rochelle's Annual Peace Potato Party
Most States Can Be Energy Independent, New Report Shows