Nuclear watchdogs object to threat to public safety and civil liberties from “deadly physical force” bill in MI House of Representatives

Palisades, Lake Michigan, and the region at riskBeyond Nuclear has joined with long-time watchdogs on the government-nuclear industry complex in Michigan, including Don't Waste MI and MSEF, to decry a proposed bill before the State House of Representatives as a violation of civil liberties, and a serious risk to public safety for residents and visitors near atomic reactors and radioactive waste storage sites in the Great Lakes State.

On Tuesday, March 4 at 9 AM, the Energy and Technology Committee of the Michigan House, chaired by Rep. Aric Nesbitt (R-66^th District, site of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant), will hold a hearing on HB 5282 (introduced by Rep. Pscholka, R-79^th District, site of the Cook Nuclear Power Plant), regarding the “right to use force when providing security at a nuclear generating facility.” HB 5282 is described as “[a] bill to create the security act for nuclear energy; and to clarify the rights and duties of officers providing security at nuclear generating facilities.”

Section 2 of HB 5282 allows use of “deadly physical force” at Michigan’s nuclear power plants. The hearing on HB 5282 will be held in Room 519, House Office Building, Lansing, MI. (To view text of legislation go to: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/mileg.aspx?page=CommitteeBillRecord)

“This ‘Deadly Physical Force’ bill is exhibit number one proving that nuclear power cannot co-exist with basic democratic freedoms and civil liberties, even something as ‘Pure Michigan’ as walking along the Great Lakes shorelines,” said Kevin Kamps of Beyond Nuclear. “Solar photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, and energy efficiency upgrades aren’t known to be terrorist targets. Just having atomic reactors and radioactive waste in our midst undermines our safety and security on a daily basis.”

See the full press release from the environmental coalition.

Update on March 4, 2014 by admin

Michigan Radio has reported on this story.

"Exelon Nuclear -- Holding Illinois Hostage Yet Again?"

Dave Kraft, Director, Nuclear Energy Information Service (NEIS) of ILDavid Kraft, Director of Nuclear Energy Information Service (NEIS) of IL, has published an analysis, "Exelon Nuclear -- Holding Illinois Hostage Yet Again?".

The Chicago business press has recently reported that Exelon has threatened to permanently close as many as five of its atomic reactors, unless the State of IL provides bailouts to keep them afloat. Specifically, those reactors are: two at Byron, two at Quad Cities, and one at Clinton.

Quad Cities Units 1 & 2 are Fukushima Daiichi twins -- GE BWR Mark Is.

NRC rubberstamped their 20-year license extensions years ago. As Dave's analysis mentions, Byron 1 & 2 have now applied for 20-year extensions as well. Despite the license extensions, the future of these reactors' operations is now quite dubious.

Dominion's Kewaunee atomic reactor in WI permanently shutdown a year ago, despite having already received a 20-year license extension rubberstamp from NRC.

Update on April 27, 2014 by admin

Dave Kraft at NEIS has published a related fact sheet, NO RATEPAYER BAILOUTS FOR EXELON’S “NUCLEAR HOSTAGE CRISIS."

Karl Grossman commemorating three years of Fukushima catastrophe

Karl Grossman, reknowned author and educator on the inherent hazards of nuclear technology, brings us up to date on the ongoing catastrophe of Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident which began on March 11, 2011.