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NUCLEAR POWER IS SHOWING ITS VULNERABLE SIDE, BUT ARE THE POLITICIANS WATCHING?


IMMEDIATE ACTION APPRECIATED:

TWO ALERTS VITAL TO KEEPING THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRY FROM TAKING OUR RESOURCES TO FUND ENERGY SOURCES THAT CANNOT ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE

Please help us stop the biggest nuclear industry giveaway EVER by taking these 3 actions.

FIRST:
On Wednesday, September 17, 2008 national and local organizations are asking our supporters to call both of your Senators that day with a simple message:

Take taxpayer loan guarantees for nuclear power out of the Gang of 20 energy bill. (note: the bill does not yet have a number. It's called the New Energy Reform Act of 2008, but everyone will know what you are talking about if you just say "Gang of 20 energy bill.")

Senator Barbara Boxer:
DC office 202 224-3553, SF office 415 403-0100, LA office 213 804-5000, San Diego 619 239-3884, Fresno 559 497-5109

Senator Dianne Feinstein:
DC 202 224-3841, SF 415 393-0707, LA 310 914-7300, San Diego 619 231-9712, Fresno 559 485-7430

If you are a supporter in another state:
Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121

SECOND:
FIRST EVER COST, BENEFIT AND RISK ANALYSIS ON CALIFORNIA’S DEPENDENCE ON AGING NUCLEAR REACTORS RELEASED IN DRAFT FORM.

Link to the report: http://www.energy.ca.gov/2008publications/CEC-100-2008-005/CEC-100-2008-005-D.PDF\

Link to conclusions: http://a4nr.org/library/07.2007-cechearings/09.2008-conclusions

What you can do:

Tell CPUC no money for license renewal until analysis is complete http://a4nr.org/letters/09.16.2008-peeveyltr/view

FINAL:
Shoot us an email rochelle@a4nr.org to let us know what actions you took. Thank You!

Now for the Alliance September newsletter that was held to ensure these alerts were included.

WE CAN'T DO THIS ALONE - DONATE NOW

A Message from Rochelle

Right now the nation — or at least our politicians — appear to be focused on the issues will play well with voters. Meanwhile, recent news stories have been reporting a litany of problems in the nuclear industry:

The press has also covered John McCain’s call for 45 new nuclear reactors.

Though barely mentioned at the Democratic Convention, nuclear power still seems to be a voice that is too profitable to silence. The strongest endorsement came from Senator Obama, saying he will tap domestic natural gas reserves, invest in "clean coal" technology and harness nuclear power. It is up to all of us to ensure he understands the myriad of economic, safety and security pitfalls to continuing to “harness nuclear power.”

The Republicans, who historically have opposed new taxes, seem willing to adopt them when they are called by another name - subsidies. Federal subsidies to jump start an aging generation source, and forced statewide rate increases to begin paying for new nuclear plants that cannot be online for over a decade — if at all — are moving forward with scant opposition and little media attention. The public may only realize this when increased utility and tax bills arrive. Most Americans have no idea these “creative” taxes have even been levied. This summer alone Congress has bailed out the mortgage industry, the investment industry and the insurance industry; let’s not let the nuclear industry be next.

California along with Vermont, New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey are carefully monitoring the nuclear industry’s pitfalls and all appear determined to make energy choices that are in the best interest of their Citizens. http://www.valleyadvocate.com/article.cfm?aid=8218 The Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility has ensured that actions of other states provide valuable precedents for the California Energy Commission’s analysis of our state’s dependence on aging reactors. The draft analysis has been released http://www.energy.ca.gov/2008publications/CEC-100-2008-005/CEC-100-2008-005-D.PDF The Alliance will attend the CEC’s workshop September 25 and file comments. http://a4nr.org/news-and-events/09.2008-cecworkshop

We are following the events surrounding exploding transformers and patterns of poor management at Diablo Canyon and San Onofre, but from a purely economic state-related perspective. California’s nuclear utilities have incurred major expenses in the past year. It is up to ratepayers to demand that shareholders bear this burden. The public must not be forced to pay to prop-up aging reactors rather than invest in alternative generation and efficiency technology.

Thank you for your support. This fall, our efforts will require those willing to do research, create fundraising and educational opportunities (fun themes for a fun campaign to end production of radioactive waste on our coast), and contact legislators regarding the true costs of California’s continued reliance on aging reactors.

I like the theme of “HOPE” in today’s politics. The Alliance is hopeful that our state will close the door on nuclear power and invest heavily in innovative technology to reduce demand, create a renewable market, and provide local job careers for a range of skills. It’s our job to close the nuclear door; the more of us pushing on this door, the faster it will be closed for good.

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

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