Ocean groups are calling for no nuclear dumping into seas

Ocean groups around the world have long protested pollution. Now they are turning their sights to the renewed dumping of radioactive waste. 

More than a dozen environmental and ocean protection groups, coordinated by the Turtle Island Restoration Network, wrote a letter of protest about the proposal by Japanese nuclear egulatory authority and Tepco to dump 770,000 tons of radioactively contaminated water from the stricken Fukushima nuclear reactors into the Pacific ocean. 

Then, when ocean protection groups learned that British authorities were planning to permit the dredging of radioactive mud at the Hinkley nuclear power plant site to be dumped in Welsh waters just off the Cardiff coast, they wrote to the Welsh Assembly, challenging the scientific validity of the proposal.

Read our story about marine groups stepping once more into the fight to stop radioactive waste discharges into the ocean, new at Beyond Nuclear International.

Ed Markey, Congressional ally for anti-nuclear groups for 42+ years

Massachusetts Senator, Democrat Ed Markey, is a long-time ally of the anti-nuclear movement. On May 22 he received an award from the Alliance for Nuclear Accountability. During remarks at the event, he reminded a packed audience just how dire the nuclear peril has become under President Trump.

“President Trump, who has threatened other countries with ‘fire and fury,’ wants new, more usable nuclear weapons,” said Markey. “He wants so-called low-yield, submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Low-yield nuclear weapons. That’s like an oxymoron, like jumbo shrimp or Salt Lake City nightlife. It doesn’t exist. Low-yield nuclear weapons is a contradiction in terms. What are they talking about?”

Read our full profile of Ed Markey at Beyond Nuclear International.

U.S. Senate confirms pro-nuclear commissioners to NRC

On May 24, the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed Annie Caputo (pictured) and David Wright as commissioners to serve five-year terms on the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Beyond Nuclear had advocated against seating the two Republicans. As documented by Beyond Nuclear’s Paul Gunter, Caputo worked as the congressional affairs executive manager for Exelon Corporation, now the largest nuclear power corporation in the U.S., from 1998 to 2005. She has also served as Senior Policy Advisor for leading nuclear power proponent, Oklahoma Republican Senator Jim Inhofe from 2009 to 2012 (Inhofe is also the Senate's most notorious climate denier). 

David Wright, is a former commissioner and chairman of the South Carolina Public Service Commission (SC PSC, 2004-2013), and another leading advocate for nuclear power/radioactive waste generation, and for getting the proposed but still canceled Yucca Mountain high-level waste dump back on the table.

Commissioner Kristine Svinicki, the third Republican on the Commission, is also an advocate of the Yucca Mountain, Nevada radioactive waste dump and promoted it while working at the U.S. Department of Energy. The remaining Commissioners are Jeff Baran, a Democrat whose term was renewed, and Stephen Burns, an independent. The nuclear industry can now count on a majority vote in its favor every time, with three of its own occupying Commission seats.

Takoma Park receives its ICAN certificate

The City of Takoma Park was presented with a Certificate of Compliance with the UN Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, awarded by the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize winners, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN). Paul Gunter of the Takoma Park Nuclear-Free Committee made the presentation to Takoma Park Mayor, Kate Stewart, and members of the City Council at the start of the Wednesday, May 23rd council session. (Pictured.)

Takoma Park was the first city in the U.S. to declare its compliance with the UN accord, known as the Ban Treaty. The Treaty prohibits the development, testing, production, deployment, use and threat of use of nuclear weapons, and requires environmental remediation and assistance to victims of the nuclear age. It was adopted by 122 countries at the UN on 7 July 2017. Once it is ratified by 50 nations, it becomes international law.

For more information, see our press release.

Alliance for Nuclear Accountability awards heroes

 

The Alliance for Nuclear Acccountability held its 30th Anniversary Congressional Awards gala on May 22, during it annual lobbying effort on Capitol Hill known as DC Days. In front of a packed room in the Rayburn House Office Building, awards were presented to five individuals for their steadfast service to the cause of ridding the world of nuclear weapons and nuclear power. Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Senator Ed Markey received awards for their years of legistlative efforts. Georgia WAND's Diane Valentin was the Bill Mitchell Grassroots Activist winner, named after ANA's founding director who passed away on May 25, 2016. Susan Gordon, who was ANA's executive director for 17 years, before becoming the coordinator of the Multicultural Alliance for a Safe Environment, was recognized for her lifetime of work. And Beyond Nuclear presented its Dr. Judith Johnsrud Unsung Hero Award to Toledo, OH laywer, Terry Lodge, who has fought many cases on behalf of the anti-nuclear community. Rick Wayman of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation (not pictured) wrapped up the proceedings with a look ahead at the challenges to come. More.