Beyond Nuclear response to U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit panel ruling in NY v. NRC II, the Nuclear Waste Confidence Lawsuit

Media Statement by Kevin Kamps, Beyond Nuclear’s Radioactive Waste Watchdog, in Response to U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Panel Ruling in New York v. Nuclear Regulatory Commission II,

the Nuclear Waste Confidence Lawsuit:

“We are sorely disappointed by Friday’s ruling. The court did not seem to understand the very sound and forceful arguments our coalition of environmental organizations was making.

Our lawyers are reviewing Friday’s decision. We have options for moving ahead, and we expect a recommendation from our lawyers shortly about next steps. 

Suffice it for now to say, we will continue our efforts to demand the government address the very serious environmental risks posed by atomic reactor operation and highly radioactive irradiated nuclear fuel generation. More.

NIRS & AGREE: Cost Study Comments, re: NYS PSC CES

On June 6, 2016, Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS) and Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE) submitted Cost Study Comments to the New York State Public Service Commission, "In the Matter of the Implementation of a Large-Scale Renewable Program and a Clean Energy Standard."

Obama at Hiroshima: hugs and hope, but will there be action?

Just before President Obama's historic May 27th visit to Hiroshima, we asked why an apology would be out of the question? Could Obama not apologize on humanitarian grounds for the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki while saving face politically? Many disarmament groups, including Beyond Nuclear, also clamored for Obama to renounce his administration's decision to spend $1 trillion over the next 30 years on "refurbishing" and upgrading the U.S. nuclear weapons arsenal. Obama's Hiroshima speech eloquently expressed compassion and the desire to "pursue a world without" nuclear weapons, but there was no immediate announcement on meaningful arms reductions.  Read our provocative piece, which appeared in The Ecologist, Counterpunch and Truthout.

Exelon announces three reactor closures: Clinton in 2017, Quad Cities 1 & 2 in 2018

As anticipated by WTTW, and now confirmed with Exelon Nuclear filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

These three just announced reactor closures now join another already announced reactor closure by Exelon -- Oyster Creek, NJ in 2019. But Ginna, NY and Three Mile Island, PA are also non-competitive, and in serious trouble. Exelon is seeking massive ratepayer subsidies to keep those failing reactors afloat. (See graphic, here.)

But, despite Exelon's apparent moves to follow through on closing three reactors in IL, Crain's Chicago Business reports "Exelon could reverse the decision later if lawmakers act."

As David Kraft, Director of Nuclear Energy Information Service of Chicago, has already advised his members, we will need to remain vigilant.

DOE tries again for "consent" to a radioactive waste dump in New England

Beyond Nuclear's Paul Gunter is in Boston today to challenge the Department of Energy's latest attempt to get New Englanders to "consent" to a radioactive waste dump in the region. Boston is the sixth of the DOE's series of "consent-based siting" meetings to feel out public sentiment toward both "interim" parking lot dumps and permanent repository sites.  "Since they have never asked for our consent on making the waste, they won't get our consent to dump it here," said Gunter, who was part of the original opposition in 1985 to DOE's attempt to situate a long-term radioactive waste repository in Maine or New Hampshire.  That effort threatened the elimination of entire towns and heritage by eminent domain for a "national sacrifice area."  New Englanders not only rejected the dump but also the continued operation of nuclear power plants that produce the waste. The Boston meeting will be Webcast live.  Make your voice heard by submitting comments to the DOE by July 31. More