We Don’t Need Diablo!

“Newsom should “save the people of California [billions of dollars] thrown down PG&E’s rat hole, declare triumphant victory in the renewable race and accept the laurels.”  

David Weisman, Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility

READ THE FULL STORY LOS ANGELES TIMES STORY HERE:

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/earthquake-risks-rising-costs-price-100013503.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAANYjWh5Knvn0dvZkImPyI2BEcnOtU9SX5l1N_XEXkldmA14HzqOs_OC_pX9vwWkvGrJ9DTcz35GkylX0ETsTFdjoHmcP2Tb6Ghz3DsAUypC6l77kewcLDp8Lv7Hrod3jlPEwWQWJacbat63_5N6-nzU5vD6r5QlP85OgsYadF5E

Newsom trumps legislature: sends PG&E a $400 million taxpayer gift amid budget crisis…

READ IT HERE:

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/california/article289421164.html

Crunch time for state budget…

Legislature says “NO” to PG&E’s $400 Million grift…What will Newsom do?

See the Alliance’s point of view on NBC-4:

 

READ IT HERE:

 

Diablo Canyon nuke plant could trigger higher PG&E customer bills, experts warn

 

AND HERE:

https://apnews.com/article/diablo-canyon-nuclear-newsom-reactors-california-45f15ac6e3a39f4fe7bbd05a9fd30d8b?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share

Diablo Canyon extension will only drive electric bills higher…

Read it here:

https://www.avpress.com/opinion/editorial/wrong-again-puc-move-won-t-lower-electric-bills/article_b6239664-1d54-11ef-8e0f-d32ea43bd0ca.html

 

BAIT & SWITCH…PG&E is grabbing for the 20 year extension even if the state only said 5…

 

READ IT HERE:

https://www.taftmidwaydriller.com/newsletter/pg-e-gets-a-diablo-inch-now-goes-for-a-mile/article_b14e6d52-0bbc-11ef-b297-6ba6d8c80a3f.html

STOP THE STEAL!Senate budget committee weighs in on SB 846 “loan” to PG&E.Senator Allen says, “It feels like we’re being taken advantage of…”  

watch the 90 second senate video clip:

 

Watch the full one hour hearing here:

SNEAKY PG&E PLANS TO SKIRT THE STATE LAW SB 846 ON THE DIABLO CANYON NUCLEAR EXTENSION??  

VIEW IT HERE:

 

A4NR on Dave Congalton Podcast

What’s PG&E’s latest scam? Listen here:

 

CPUC Approves Diablo extension–                    

Customers will pay…and pay…

PG&E gets OK to keep open Diablo Canyon nuclear plant: bills may jump

CPUC Tries to hide the billions in Diablo costs from overburdened ratepayers…big CPUC vote tomorrow

READ MORE HERE:

Funding Diablo Canyon Will Cost Edison and San Diego Ratepayers, Too

PG&E’s DIABLO CANYON EXTENSION ON SHAKY GROUND…

From the Associated Press:

“The Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility, an anti-nuclear group, has alleged that PG&E failed to disclose its conviction before it received conditional approval from the U.S. Department of Energy last year for $1.1 billion in funding for the extension.”

Read the details here:

https://apnews.com/article/nuclear-power-california-diablo-canyon-reactors-86e6ba395ebdf4fbca512344e057fd73

 

 

GOOD NEWS!  Gavin Newsom announces incredible breakthrough in battery storage for California…Diablo is not needed! 

 

read about it here:

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/opinion/readers-opinion/article281395178.html

 

Rush to judgment…California agencies speed towards Diablo extension with inadequate information…

Diablo Canyon Does the Time Warp

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diablo Canyon life extension? Alliance attorney gives it 10%… Listen to his reasons on the Dave Congalton KVEC 920AM radio show…

PRESS THE PLAY SYMBOL BELOW HERE:

 

State Lands Commission permit requires PG&E to answer seismic questions beyond what goes on inside those domes…

READ IT HERE:

 

State Lands Commission Approves Extension of Diablo Canyon’s Lease

 

BAIT and SWITCH ! Is PG&E trying to squeeze 20 years out of a possible 5 year Diablo extension ? The Tribune wonders….

 

READ IT HERE:

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/opinion/article275420766.html

 

PLUS: It’s not a done deal…Letter from The Alliance:

Scroll down to the second letter to the editor…

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article275346296.html

 

Some of Diablo Canyon’s buildings aren’t earthquake safe? Taxpayers deserve better!

Devastating images from the recent Turkish quakes of collapsed “non-ductile” concrete buildings with “soft” first floors — similar to those destroyed in our Sylmar and Northridge earthquakes — should be a wake-up call to Californians. At Diablo Canyon, several key buildings are constructed in the same flawed manner.

Read more here:

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/opinion/readers-opinion/article273011755.html#storylink=topdigest_latest

 

Keeping Diablo Canyon operating longer than licensed faces more obstacles than opportunities.Alliance legislative director David Weisman explains why in this NPR radio interview:

https://www.kcbx.org/environment-and-energy/2023-02-10/the-devil-is-always-in-the-details-nuclear-watchdog-urges-public-to-attend-diablo-canyon-meetings

 

 

PG&E Attempts to Grab Ratepayer Dollars for Botched Repairs at Diablo Canyon, Alliance says “hands off our money”

Read it here:

PG&E tries to grab ratepayer money for botched Diablo repairs, Alliance says “NO”

 

Obstacles threaten attempt to keep Diablo open — NBC-4 Bay Area investigative report:

https://www.nbcbayarea.com/investigations/diablo-canyon-nuclear-power-plant-safety/3038039/?fbclid=IwAR28cnqLxdIhPC–layEMutl_It09IhO6TVgRjAt_hnTykY1s5lnIAd_OdY

 

 

FROM POLITICO:

The anti-nuclear activist whose dreams were just dashed

READ IT HERE:

https://www.politico.com/newsletters/the-long-game/2022/09/07/the-anti-nuclear-activist-whose-dreams-were-just-dashed-00055074?nname=the-long-game&nid=00000171-5b34-d92d-a5ff-db3ee8890000&nrid=00000151-218d-da9c-a15b-23bde2220001&nlid=2672637

 

 

Don’t be distracted… with all the “talk” about keeping Diablo open, PG&E proposes a dirtier decommissioning…

READ IT HERE:

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/opinion/readers-opinion/article263948796.html

A4NR Outlines the Hurdles Facing Diablo Canyon Extension…

read them here:

Diablo Canyon’s New Lease on Life

Lapses in maintenance...

Obsolete equipment...

No more spare parts…

These are just a few of the problems challenging any thought of extending the life of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant.

Watch them described in detail by the Diablo Canyon Independent Safety Committee:

MORE TECHNICAL HURDLES DETAILED HERE:

The Devil that still won’t die…

Futile attempt to revive Diablo by Newsom that even PG&E isn’t seriously interested in…

READ MORE HERE,

WITH COMMENTS FROM THE ALLIANCE:

San Diego Union Tribune:

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/story/2021-11-12/should-californias-last-nuclear-power-plant-stay-open

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientist

https://thebulletin.org/2022/05/california-governor-warms-up-to-nuclear-reactors/#post-heading

California Currents Energy Newsletter:

https://cacurrent.com/juice-keeping-diablo-nuclear-power-plant-running-past-2025-faces-high-hurdles/

San Luis Obispo New Times:

https://www.newtimesslo.com/sanluisobispo/gov-newsom-suggests-delaying-diablo-canyons-closure/Content?oid=12447296

Let Diablo Rest in Peace futile attempts to delay closure slows genuine action on truly renewable energy opportunity:

From the San Luis Obispo Tribune:

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/opinion/editorials/article258429388.html

And in California Currents newsletter:

021622 CaCurrents

No reprieve for Diablo…Read the LA TIMES story–

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/column-nuclear-energy-backers-vital-130058759.html

CPUC Decision lets utilities skimp on radiation cleanup levels at San Onofre Nuclear Plant

Alliance demand for stringentoversight rebuffed by CPUC…

Read about it here:

121721 CaCurrents-SONGS CPUC decision

 

Last Ditch Efforts to Bolster Diablo Will Fall Short Despite Academic Hype…Alliance response cuts them down to size:

From California Currents:

https://cacurrent.com/guest-editorial-diablo-canyon-is-done/

or:

Diablo is done-California Currents

In the San Luis Obispo TRIBUNE:

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/environment/article255653451.html

In the San Diego Union Tribune:

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/story/2021-11-12/should-californias-last-nuclear-power-plant-stay-open

and from CALIFORNIA CURRENTS:

110921 Diablo relicensing study from MIT-CaCurrents

A4NR attorney John Geesman

on KQED…

As Fire Victims Languish, Hedge Funds Cash out

Billions in PG&E Stock

Hear it now :

https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101886017/pge-and-hedge-funds

Alliance in The Fresno Bee:

WRITE OFF DIABLO CANYON

FOR POWER

FULL LINK:  https://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article254666767.html

A victory for renewable energy!

Power to replace Diablo is on the way….

Read about it here:

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/environment/article254412199.html

 

Diablo is DONE…there will be no “nuclear comeback” in California

read about it here:

https://www.sierraclub.org/sites/www.sierraclub.org/files/sce/santa-lucia-chapter/Why%20Diablo%20is%20Done.pdf

CPUC finally announces decision

on decommissioning funding for

Diablo Canyon!

READ THEIR DECISION:

A4NR and PG&E NDCTP (Diablo Decommissioning) A.18-12-009

Unit 2 worked only 75% of 2020 and so far is off to an equally unimpressive start in 2021…

read more here in California Currents:

https://cacurrent.com/subscriber/archives/44136

Like everything else that went bust in 2020, Diablo Unit 2 ends the year at barely 75% operability…

READ:

https://www.newtimesslo.com/sanluisobispo/a-workhorse-failure/Content?oid=10455118 

Diablo breaks down yet again–

Three strikes and they’re out,

but the customers will pay…

READ THE LATEST IN CALIFORNIA CURRENT :

12022020 CaCurrents

AND IN EURASIA REVIEW:  

 https://www.eurasiareview.com/05122020-alliance-for-nuclear-responsibility-responds-to-ronald-stein-oped/

After spending $100 Million in

ratepayer dollars, PG&E still

can’t get “New Parts” to work right

at Diablo Canyon…

https://www.kcbx.org/post/planned-and-unplanned-shutdown-diablo-canyon-halts-all-electricity-generation#stream/0

MORE TROUBLES AT DIABLO CANYON…

Recurring Problem Forced Diablo Canyon Nuke Unit Offline During Critical  Statewide Energy Shortfall

Read the whole story here:

10202020 Recurring Problems at Diablo-California Currents

As if this year wasn’t bad enough… Things aren’t going so well at the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant…read the latest in the Santa Barbara Independent:

All About Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant

CHECK OUT THE SPRING

NEWSLETTER from A4NR:

Spring Newsletter01

 

 

Diablo Canyon continues to cost ratepayers

too  much…

Can PG&E foist it onto Community

Choice Energy providers?

The Alliance says, “no!”  Read here:

https://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/carbon-free-power-at-no-charge-what-could-possibly-go-wrong-carbon-free-power-at-no-charge-what-could-possibly-go-wrong/Content?oid=28622974

Diablo Decommissioning: Settlement

announced in CPUC Proceedings–

Alliance prevails on key issues…

Ratepayers to gain safety and pay less…

READ OUR PRESS RELEASE:  011320 PR-NDCTP Settlement

and in the San Luis Obispo TRIBUNE:

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/california/article239181018.html

and in the San Francisco CHRONICLE:

https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/PG-E-nuclear-plant-closure-would-cause-electric-14972261.php

READ THS:  California, PG&E, and the future energy paradigm…A4NR attorney John Geesman profiled in new story from Mother Jones:

https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2019/11/what-happens-now-to-pge-fires-california-public-takeover/

Bankruptcy?  Wildfires? Rate Increases?

The future of PG&E and Diablo Canyon??

All this and more as A4NR outreach coordinator

David Weisman is a guest on the Dave Congalton

radio show on KVEC in San Luis Obispo….

Listen here:

http://www.920kvec.com/episode/hometown-radio-10-31-19-4p-david-weisman-from-the-alliance-for-nuclear-responsibility-looks-at-pge/

 
RATEPAYER WATCHDOGS IN ACTION:
ALLIANCE FILES TESTIMONY IN
PG&E GENERAL RATE CASE….

Diablo Canyon no longer economically viable;

early shutdown would save ratepayers billions

Read more here:
http://a4nr.org/?p=4165
 
 
Decommissioning Dilemma:
What is next for the communities?
Read the op-ed from Alliance
Executive Director Rochelle Becker:
https://www.sanluisobispo.com/article229700029.html

Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility Presentation to the

Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning

Federal Executive Branch Roundtable,

Washington DC, April 10, 2019–

READ IT HERE:

041019 A4NR statement Waste Forum

THE SEA WILL BE FREE!
 
SURFERS, BOATERS and FISHERMAN…In the near future you will be able to enjoy the waters off San Onofre decades sooner than originally planned!
  
This past week, The Alliance prevailed in their request before the California State Lands Commission (CSLC), during the hearings for the permit needed to begin the decommissioning of the abandoned San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS).
 
Currently, ocean and tidelands from the seawall out to a distance of about six football fields in length is technically inside the security perimeter of SONGS. While swimmers, boaters and surfers may (and have) passed through this zone, lingering or loitering could put you in the crosshairs of the security detail at the facility. It will take until nearly 2035 for Southern California Edison (SCE) to demolish and decontaminate the site. SCE planned to keep the security exclusion zone in place throughout that entire period, even though the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) would have allowed them to reduce it to a radius of just about one football field-once the waste casks were all in place-perhaps as soon as the end of 2020.
 
Invoking the Public Trust Doctrine of the California Constitution, Alliance attorney John Geesman made the rational and impassioned argument that the need to provide unimpeded access for surfing, swimming and fishing those offshore waters was clearly in the jurisdiction of the State Lands Commission. Since the federal NRC was willing to allow a reduced security area, there was no reason not to restore these valuable recreational uses to the people of California earlier-without fear or restriction.
 
So-Cal Edison agreed, and the SLC wrote it into the new lease: “At the conclusion of the transfer of the SONGS spent nuclear fuel to the Approved Independent Spent Fuel storage Installation…the Lessee shall seek approval from the NRC to decrease the size of the Exclusion Area Boundary to the minimum required by law.”
 
Thus, surfers, swimmers, boaters, and fisherman casting their rods from the shore will be able to safely enjoy these fine recreational activities without fear or intimidation- perhaps decades earlier than they might have otherwise. You can watch John Geesman in action at the SLC meeting: https://youtu.be/bgcyEKKlAtY
 
The Alliance is proud to have initiated this action, and thanks SCE and the CSLC for their support. Equally, the Alliance thanks you, our supporters, whose generous donations have made it possible for us to carry out our mission and bring back results like these. We invite, and are grateful for your continued support, as the long road to safely decommissioning and restoring the San Onofre beach begins.
 
Alliance Executive Director Rochelle Becker and Outreach Coordinator David Weisman tour the San Onofre nuclear plant as intervenors in the CPUC decommissioning proceedings.

GUEST EDITORIAL:

As Diablo Canyon races toward retirement and PG&E faces bankruptcy, former Union of Concerned Scientists nuclear safety expert Dave Lochbaum raises oversight concerns in this editorial, “Death By A Thousand Cutbacks.”

Read it here:

Death By A Thousand Cutbacks

A4NR files Protests at the CPUC in PG&E rate requests for both decommissioning Diablo Canyon and General Rate Case…read the press release:

011119 A4NR PR-Filings

PG&E Files Decommissioning Rate Case at CPUC….asks for largest amount ever in United States to decommission a nuclear power plant….read the response of the Alliance here:

121318 PR PGE Files NDCTP-1

Comments of the Alliance on the

Diablo Canyon Decommissioning Engagement Panel Draft

Vision Statement

120718 DCDEP comments01

PREVIOUS  COMMENTS OF THE ALLIANCE:

102418 A4NR DCDEP comments-final

Dr. David Victor, chairman of the San Onofre Community Engagement Panel discusses the challenges and accomplishments of that organization with regard to the decommissioning of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station:

CPUC APPROVES

PLAN TO CLOSE

DIABLO CANYON !

PRESS STATEMENT OF THE ALLIANCE:

011118 PR JP Decision

As the Diablo retirement proceeding moves forward, the CPUC’s Diablo Canyon Independent Safety Committee member Dr. Robert Budnitz shares his concerns regarding worker retention in the waning days of the reactor’s operation….Hear Dr. Budnitz:

AND:

The proposal to close Diablo–

one year later….an update:

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/opinion/readers-opinion/article157348454.html

The CPUC proceeding on the “Joint

Proposal” to  close the Diablo Canyon

Nuclear Power  Plant is under way

A4NR Doc Photo

A4NR Cross Examination of PG&E Witnesses to begin Tuesday, April 25….

A mountain of exhibits awaiting their day in court (so to speak….)

WATCH THE WEBCASTS HERE: 

http://www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc/hearing/

042017 RB CPUC 

Daily from 10:00 am to Noon; then from 1:00 to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday

The Alliance is there for you !

Read the Alliance’s filings here:

A4NR and the Joint Proposal to retire Diablo Canyon–CPUC documents

Rochelle Becker asks San Luis Obispo to

support webcast of CPUC hearings…

request granted by the CPUC!

Nuclear Waste?  

There is no time to waste…

RB+TV-B+Carbajal DC copyAlliance Executive Director Rochelle Becker (L) and Treasurer Tama Varano-Becker (R) headed back to Washington DC and met with many of the California congressional staff to discuss issues related to nuclear energy and nuclear waste.  Here they meet with Congressman Salud Carbajal, newly elected, who represents the district hosting the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant.

Joint Proposal to Close Diablo moves forward….

Alliance pushes to save ratepayers

$52 million in the deal…

watch the video (below) and read more here:

 http://a4nr.org/?p=3943

GOVERNOR JERRY BROWN SIGNS

SB 968 INTO LAW–

read the press release from Senator Bill Monning:

http://sd17.senate.ca.gov/news/2016-09-26-governor-brown-signs-legislation-determine-economic-impact-diablo-canyon-closure

CALIFORNIA HISTORY IS MADE:

ALLIANCE JOINS PROPOSAL

TO PHASE OUT DIABLO CANYON

Read the press release:

062116 A4NR PR01

Read the signed agreement:

JointProposal-signed

READ ABOUT IT HERE:

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/End-of-an-atomic-era-PG-E-to-close-Diablo-Canyon-8314258.php

Diablo Canyon Closing–Concerns of Dr. Robert Budnitz-VIDEO

HEAR ROCHELLE BECKER TALK ABOUT THE JOINT PROPOSAL TO CLOSE DIABLO CANYON ON KFPA’S “TERRA VERDE” PROGRAM:

Courtesy KFPA  https://kpfa.org/archives/

SB 968 (Monning) Calls for study of post-Diablo Canyon economic mitigation for San Luis Obispo.

FOR ALL THE DETAILS ON SB 968, click here:

http://a4nr.org/?p=3776

PG&E sweeping its seismic issues under the rug…

Read the op-ed in the San Luis Obispo TRIBUNE:

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2015/07/31/3743189_pge-sweeping-its-seismic-issues.html?rh=1

More on the story from the NEW TIMES SAN LUIS OBISPO:

Internal emails reveal doubts over Diablo Seismic Study, says watchdog group…read it here:

 http://www.newtimesslo.com/news/12660/internal-emails-reveal-doubts-over-diablo-seismic-study-says-watchdog-group/

Feds: Diablo nuke plant could face stronger-than-expected quakes

Read more in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Feds-Diablo-nuke-plant-could-face-6262009.php

Transparency, anyone?

The ALLIANCE has been busy, Seeking Secret Documents…

For San Onofre:

Regulators are considering sanctions for utility over Warsaw meeting

…A group called the Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility called on regulators to sanction Edison for the late filing, and the order for release of emails is part of the commission’s consideration of that request.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/apr/14/edison-emails/

 

for Diablo Canyon:

Boxer: Regulators’ ‘heads should roll’ over Diablo nuclear plant

“Either way, they’re damned,” said David Weisman, with the Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility. “If the NRC is drafting talking points on a report they haven’t seen yet, that’s really bad. And if they’re getting a state report before the state does, that’s really bad.”

http://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Boxer-Regulators-heads-should-roll-over-6202735.php?t=2c169beefb&cmpid=twitter-premium#photo-7825670

Alliance spokesman David Weisman talks secrecy and collusion between PG&E and the NRC on the Gil Gross show, AM 910 in San Francisco….listen to the 12 minute podcast here:

http://www.iheart.com/show/The-Gil-Gross-Program/?episode_id=27213086 

Switching Hats…?

PG&E’s seismic update for Diablo Canyon plays fast and loose with the definition of “independent” scientific review…see for yourself:

Read the stories in The New Times San Luis Obispo:

http://www.newtimesslo.com/shredder/12134/hat-spat/

ART GALLERY OPENING:

REDACTED:  Transparency, Democracy and Nuclear Power

Review the Alliance’s art exhibition to commemorate the 4th Anniversary of the tragedy at Fukushima and the ongoing seismic coverup at Diablo Canyon….

See details here:

http://a4nr.org/?p=3423

Lessons of Fukushima on the 4th Anniversary….

Read the Alliance’s editorial in the New Times San Luis Obispo….

http://www.newtimesslo.com/commentary/12074/fukushima-at-4/

and in The Tribune:

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2015/03/05/3520365/4-years-after-fukushima-the-real.html

BREAKING NEWS:

Diablo swamped by tsunami…of emails !

PG&E emails released reveal unreported contact between PG&E and CPUC regulators regarding Diablo License renewal…

read them here:  http://a4nr.org/?p=3373

Email deluge swamps San Onofre too…

Alliance files motion seeking investigation into previously secret San Onofre emails

http://a4nr.org/?p=3397

Seismic Shenanigans Made Simple:

PG&E's-Magic-Slide-Rule

Courtesy of Russ Hodin

Don’t Count on Diablo…

License renewal is NOT a forgone conclusion….

Here is the latest op-ed from A4NR in the San Luis Obispo NEW TIMES:

http://www.newtimesslo.com/commentary/11764/dont-count-on-diablo/

SENATOR BARBARA BOXER QUESTIONS DIABLO SEISMIC SAFETY…

FOR THE LOCAL ANGLE….READ IT IN THE SANTA BARBARA INDEPENDENT:

http://www.independent.com/news/2014/dec/11/last-train-dogville/

CALIFORNIA NUKE PLANT KEY IN QUAKE SAFETY REVIEW…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal regulators have been too slow and lax when it comes to ensuring the safety of California’s last operating nuclear plant, according to Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer, who clashed repeatedly with members of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission during a Senate committee hearing Wednesday.

READ THE A.P. STORY:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/APFN_US_NUCLEAR_REACTOR_EARTHQUAKES_CAOL-?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE HEARING:

READ THE FULL STATEMENT AND SEISMIC REVIEW BY DR. SAM BLAKESLEE:

120314 Blakeslee-EPW

HEAR ALLIANCE OUTREACH COORDINATOR DISCUSS THE ISSUE ON THE DAVE CONGALTON RADIO SHOW, DECEMBER 5, 2014.  SPECIAL NOTE:  AT 27 MINUTES INTO THE RECORDING, FORMER NRC DIABLO INSPECTOR DR. MICHAEL PECK CALLS IN TO THE SHOW! Click on the link below:

120514 Congalton

DAVID WEISMAN ALSO DISCUSSES THE DIABLO SEISMIC DEBACLE ON KMUD RADIO IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA–CLICK HERE TO LISTEN:

KMUD Radio-Diablo 120914

TSUNAMI NEWS UPDATE:

Following up on a story the Alliance has been pursuing for over a year….The New Times SLO reports on the release of the previously redacted Diablo Canyon tsunami threat study of Dr. Robert Sewell:

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission releases a tsunami assessment of Diablo Canyon 11 years later

When New Times reached out to Sewell with questions about the report, he said in an email “my report stands on its own, and I am confident that those who carefully review it will find it to be appropriate and valid.”

READ THE FULL STORY:

http://www.newtimesslo.com/news/11696/the-nuclear-regulatory-commission-releases-a-tsunami-assessment-of-diablo-canyon-11-years-later/

PG&E Subverted State Review of Diablo Canyon Seismic Studies and Squandered Ratepayer Money, According to A4NR Regulatory Filing

READ THE PRESS RELEASE AND LEGAL FILING HERE:

http://a4nr.org/?p=3297

The New Times San Luis Obispo asks:

Was an Independent Peer Review Panel cut out of PG&E’s seismic review?

http://www.newtimesslo.com/news/11544/was-an-independent-peer-review-panel-cut-out-of-pges-seismic-review/

The San Francisco Bay Guardian reports:

There are even more inappropriate PG&E emails

Even more internal Pacific Gas & Electric Co. emails – this time flagged by activists focused on safety concerns at a nuclear power plant – raise new questions about the company’s tactics of manipulating the state regulatory process.

READ MORE:

 http://www.sfbg.com/politics/2014/10/08/there-are-even-more-inappropriate-pge-emails

The New Times San Luis Obispo earlier reported:

Critics allege the Diablo Canyon seismic studies lacked proper review

http://www.newtimesslo.com/news/11514/critics-allege-the-diablo-canyon-seismic-studies-lacked-proper-review/

From the Santa Barbara Independent:

Diablo’s in the Details:   The Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility Challenges PG&E Seismic Report

http://www.independent.com/news/2014/oct/10/diablos-details/

STILL MORE COVERAGE IN    THE SAN DIEGO READER:

Details not in the Diablo report

PG&E’s peculiar unconcern for fault line beneath state’s last nuclear plant

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2014/oct/07/ticker-PGE-diablo-seismic-report/

NOW AVAILABLE:  Videotape of the recent meetings of the Independent Peer Review Panel (IPRP) that is reviewing the PG&E “Final Seismic Report” for the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant.  Follow this link:

http://a4nr.org/?p=3329

Former Diablo Canyon inspector still questions NRC decisions at plant

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2014/09/24/3262686_former-diablo-canyon-inspector.html?sp=%2F99%2F177%2F183%2F&rh=1

Nuclear Regulatory Commission inspector Dr. Peck stands by his story:

HOW THE NRC GOT IT WRONG AT DIABLO CANYON

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2014/09/23/3260077_how-the-nrc-got-it-wrong-on-diablo.html?sp=%2F99%2F181%2F%2F&rh=1

SEISMIC SHAKEDOWN

IS NEW PG+E SEISMIC REPORT ALL IT’S       “CRACKED UP” TO BE?

MORE QUESTIONS ARE RAISED THAN ANSWERED…..

PG&E, NRC accused of collaborating to defend Diablo Canyon’s safety

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2014/09/18/3252117_pge-emails-may-have-violated-rules.html?sp=/99/100/&rh=1

SLO County Supervisor Dr. Bruce Gibson weighs in:

Community deserves discussion on Diablo Canyon

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2014/09/16/3247694_community-deserves-discussion.html?rh=1

From the NEW TIMES SLO:

http://www.newtimesslo.com/news/11442/solid-ground-two-reports-claim-diablo-canyon-is-safe-from-earthquakes/

Victory for the Alliance at the California Public Utilities Commission!  Decision in PG&E’s General Rate Case!

Alliance asks CPUC to provide independent peer reviewed oversight of ALL PG&E seismic studies…  and gets it….

Alliance asks CPUC to condition any money for more spent fuel storage at Diablo Canyon to be linked to expediting transfer of the waste out of the vulnerable pools…and gets it

Read the Press Release and entire CPUC Decision here:

http://a4nr.org/?p=3244

Hodin 082814 Diablo cards

FORMER NRC RESIDENT INSPECTOR AT DIABLO CANYON’S REPORT ON SEISMIC LICENSE VIOLATIONS NOW MADE PUBLIC.

The “Differing Professional Opinion” of Dr. Michael Peck has now been revealed, raising troubling concerns about the NRC and PG&E’s “assumptions” regarding seismic safety at Diablo Canyon.  

A4NR’s David Weisman discusses all the latest Diablo issues on The Dave Congalton Show on KVEC. Listen to the podcast courtesy of KVEC here:

082914 Congalton-Weisman -itunes

MORE COVERAGE HERE:

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE:

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Earthquake-concerns-prompt-call-to-shut-nuclear-5711717.php#photo-6771243

from the SANTA BARBARA INDEPENDENT:


http://www.independent.com/news/2014/aug/28/reflections-dogs-eye/

and the NEW TIMES SAN LUIS OBISPO:

http://www.newtimesslo.com/shredder/11350/the-metaphor-bear/

Read the actual document here:

Diablo_Canyon_Seismic_DPO

Alliance outreach coordinator David Weisman discusses the latest seismic concerns at Diablo Canyon on “Uprising” with Sonali Kolhatkar of KPFK radio: (15 minutes)

082714 DJW-KPFK 2

 

IS DIABLO CANYON AS “SAFE” FROM TSUNAMIS AS PG&E CLAIMED AFTER FUKUSHIMA?  THE NRC HAS A “SECRET” STUDY AND THEY’RE NOT SHARING IT WITH THE PUBLIC….

FROM THE NEW TIMES SAN LUIS OBISPO:

Diablo and the deep blue sea: A shelved NRC tsunami study is generating new interest 11 years later…

READ IT HERE:

http://www.newtimesslo.com/cover/11288/diablo-and-the-deep-blue-sea-a-shelved-nrc-tsunami-study-is-generating-new-interest-11-years-later/

WATCH THE VIDEO DISCUSSION FROM THE DIABLO CANYON INDEPENDENT SAFETY COMMITTEE:

A SUCCESSFUL EVENT:  Nearly 120 braved the spring rain to hear DAVE LOCHBAUM OF THE UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS, IN PERSON… discussing his book, Fukushima, Story of a Nuclear Disaster at the Steynberg Gallery in San Luis Obispo.

For those who couldn’t be there, you can watch Dave’s presentation on Youtube (courtesy of Matthew Wedin)


 
Thanks to Gallery Owner Peter Steynberg for providing the venue!

 See more still photos from the event at:  http://a4nr.org/?p=3149

Dave Lochbaum reminded the residents of San Luis Obispo that fire protection and response was a major challenge at the Fukushima nuclear disaster.  San Luis Obispo fire chief Robert Lewin –whose jurisdiction includes the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant–writes of his concerns in Homeland Security Today magazine:

meltdown-fires

Seismic Shake Up at Diablo Canyon:  Read about it in The New Times:

http://www.newtimesslo.com/news/10792/the-diablo-canyon-seismic-shakeup/

Hear Dave Lochbaum interviewed on Public Radio Exchange (PRX):

http://www.prx.org/pieces/114476-fukushima-the-story-of-a-nuclear-disaster 

It may be April First…but we’re not joking, and we don’t think PG&E will fool anyone….Today, A4NR filed a protest in the ERRA proceeding at the CPUC…PG&E got ratepayer money for seismic studies that were supposed to be “independently peer reviewed” and thorough.  Upon review, it looks like they failed on both counts.  Read the full Protest document here:

http://a4nr.org/?p=3142

TWO MONTHS LATER…AND SENATOR BARBARA BOXER IS STILL WAITING FOR ANSWERS ON THE SEISMIC QUESTIONS PLAGUING DIABLO CANYON.  WATCH HERE:

Congresswoman Lois Capps questions NRC over seismic safety questions plaguing Diablo Canyon reactors…. read about it here:

http://www.newtimesslo.com/news/10405/capps-grills-nrc-head-over-diablo-safety-and-transparency/

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It’s been FOUR years since PG&E filed for license renewal at Diablo Canyon, and the odds are LONGER than ever for their chances of reaching that goal.  Read more in the Santa Barbara INDEPENDENT:

http://www.independent.com/news/2013/nov/27/diablo-canyon-mad-dogs-and-crazy-chickens/

 AND in the San Luis Obispo NEW TIMES

http://www.newtimesslo.com/news/10305/diablo-canyon-relicensing-hits-the-fouryear-mark/

SEISMIC SHIFT

SENATOR BARBARA BOXER SPEAKS OUT TO THE NRC, Raises doubts about current level of seismic safety at Diablo Canyon:

“Earthquakes do not wait until the nuclear industry and the NRC is ready to deal with these threats.  And families who live near nuclear facilities–and I have a number of them–should not have to wait one additional day for needed safety enhancements at nuclear reactors.”

WATCH THE VIDEO:

 READ SENATOR BOXER’S PRESS RELEASE AND LETTER TO THE NRC:

http://a4nr.org/?p=3030

MORE SEISMIC SHIFT:  Read the latest report from the Union Of Concerned Scientists–Diablo Canyon is NOT in compliance with its safe shutdown standard for earthquake protection, and the NRC turns a blind eye to the serious lapse… http://a4nr.org/?p=2998

The future of Diablo Canyon on shaky ground…

faultIt’s the last plant standing, but is Diablo Canyon all cracked up?   From California to Washington DC, the groundswell of concern over the nation’s most seismically challenged nuclear plant is growing in magnitude. 

cartoon by Jerry James/New Times SLO

110713 HodinWhen the atom…  splits

As in, “leaves town…gets up and goes away…”

Let the San Luis Obispo Supervisors know we need a plan to make up lost revenue and jobs if

Russ Hodin/ from New Times SLO            the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant was shut down prematurely or not relicensed…It’s happened in 4 other communities so far this year!  

What will San Luis Obispo do?…find out here: 

http://a4nr.org/?p=2910

OTC cooling towers jpgA FIRST LOOK AT ALTERNATIVES TO ONCE-THROUGH-COOLING AT DIALBO CANYON !

Take a good look this artist’s rendering from a Bechtel consultant’s report of what cooling towers would look like at Diablo Canyon.  (click on the photo for an enlarged view). Each cooling tower is nearly as high as a 50-story building and as wide as two football fields! Try to imagine this on our coast line.  And the costs? 8 to 12 BILLION DOLLARS !  New laws have given the State Water Board until 2015 to review alternatives to once-through-cooling at Diablo Canyon…either PG&E complies or the plants must shut down by 2024.  

Read the full story from The New Times of San Luis Obispo

http://www.newtimesslo.com/news/10105/everything-cool-a-report-on-diablo-canyons-oncethrough-cooling-alternatives-breeds-more-questions-than-answers/

Does PG&E plan to skirt the state laws on Once-Through-Cooling or force this expensive option on ratepayers? Read this statement by a PG&E Senior Vice President at an industry inside conference:

Conway Quoteread the whole story at: http://a4nr.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/101713-INPO+Conway-NOTED.pdf

Then let the State Water Board know you value our precious marine resource more than paying billions to retrofit Diablo.Read the details and contact the water board here:

http://a4nr.org/?p=2886

And stay tuned for upcoming announcements from A4NR on this topic….

To learn more about the effects of once through cooling–and why it must be stopped–watch this 5 minute video clip featuring Dave Lochbaum of the Union of Concerned Scientists and Stanford attorney Deborah Sivas:

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The SONG(S) may have ended…but the DECOMMISSIONING lingers on….

NRC takes first steps to decommission San Onofre…get the summary from A4NR on KPBS:

 

AND LISTEN TO A MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION ON KPBS RADIO:

http://www.kpbs.org/audioclips/19812/

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Read about the seismic gamble at Diablo Canyon–from the New Times San Luis Obispo:

‘Calculational garbage’

Did the NRC allow PG&E to dodge Diablo Canyon seismic licensing requirements?

read the detailed investigative report here:

http://www.newtimesslo.com/news/9668/calculational-garbage/

And more coverage in the same edition at:

http://www.newtimesslo.com/shredder/9677/regulatory-meltdown/

On Shaky Ground:  Are PG&E and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission skirting requirements for seismic safety at Diablo Canyon? Newly disclosed documents raise serious questions.  Hear Alliance attorney John Geesman and A4NR’s David Weisman discuss these issues on “The Dave Congalton Show” (KVEC 920 AM) recorded Wednesday, June 5, 2013 (40 minutes):

JG-DW Congalton

Use “down” arrow button on right to download .mp3 file

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“Is it safe?….”

San Luis Obispo residents question NRC on Shoreline Fault report at Open House meeting.

Does the Nuclear Regulatory Commission really know what is or isn’t “seismically safe” at Diablo Canyon….watch this video and decide….

*  *  *  *  *  *  * 

 

FISH AND CESIUM DON’T MIX…. 

Whether it is ongoing contamination of seafood, the devastation of the fishing industry, drastic clean up plans or overall impacts to the marine environment, the marine consequences of the nuclear disaster at Fukushima continue:

http://a4nr.org/?p=2330

*  *  *  *  *  *  * 

“THE COMMISSION WILL BE IN ORDER…”

ALLIANCE PRESENTS CASE BEFORE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION: SEISMIC STUDIES AT DIABLO CANYON–DOES PG&E EVEN KNOW WHAT IT IS LOOKING FOR AND HOW MUCH WILL IT REALLY COST?

Pressing questions were raised by Alliance attorney John Geesman during a tense day of hearings. 

HEAR ATTORNEY JOHN GEESMAN DISCUSS THE CASE ON KQED RADIO’S CALIFORNIA REPORT….

Read about it in BLOOMBERG BUSINESSWEEK:

http://a4nr.org/?p=2168 

ALLIANCE VICTORY AT PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION–

JUDGE REJECTS PG&E’s FUNDING FOR LICENSE RENEWAL !

 Read the Alliance press release:

 http://a4nr.org/?p=1880

READ THE LATEST NEWS COVERAGE HERE:

http://www.independent.com/news/2012/jan/05/diablo-canyon-cost-recovery-denied/

and

http://www.newtimesslo.com/breaking-news/7123/cpuc-denies-pge-diablo-funding-application/

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NATIONWIDE PBS T.V. PROGRAM PROFILES SEISMIC PROBLEMS AT DIABLO CANYON !

“DOUBLE FAULT AT DIABLO” featured on

NEED TO KNOW on PBS

In a joint investigation with the Center for Investigative Reporting and Capital Public Radio, NEED TO KNOW  brings you this Watch List report.  See State Senator Dr. Sam Blakeslee, US Geological Survey Geologist Dr. Jeanne Hardebeck and California Energy Commissioner James Boyd discuss the troubling new seismic concerns at Diablo Canyon nuclear plant.  This well researched story packs a lot of information into 20 minutes!  Click the link below to watch the entire program:

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/environment/video-double-fault-nuclear-safety-at-diablo-canyon/10457/

 

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