Media coverage of the commemoration of 50 years since the Fermi 1 "We Almost Lost Detroit" partial meltdown/close call with radioactive catastrophe

“To the village square we must carry the facts of atomic energy. From there must come America’s voice.” --- Albert Einstein, June 1946. Photo credit: Mark Muhich, Sierra Club MI Chapter Nuclear-Free CommitteeA column in the LA Times, and an article in the Detroit Free Press, have covered this story. So too has the Monroe Evening News (note the one-minute video, of UCS's Dave Lochbaum explaining how a supposed meltdown mitigation safeguard at Fermi 1, actually led the meltdown); Michigan Public Radio's Stateside (an eight-minute interview with Fermi watchdog Michael Keegan); and the Toledo Blade.

Beyond Nuclear also raised the Fermi 1 meltdown on Thom Hartmann's "The Big Picture" on Oct. 6th (see from 45 minutes 00 seconds to 52 minutes 20 seconds).

The speakers at the downtown Monroe, MI press conference held at 3:09 PM, Wed., Oct. 6th -- the 50-year mark, to the moment, of the Fermi 1 meltdown -- included (from left to right, see photo): Terry Lodge, Toledo Safe Energy Coalition, and environmental intervention attorney against Fermi 2 & Fermi 3; Jessie Collins, Citizens Resistance at Fermi Two (CRAFT); Michael Keegan, Coalition for a Nuclear-Free Great Lakes and Don't Waste MI (speaking); Ethyl Rivera, Alliance to Halt Fermi 3; Paul Gunter, Beyond Nuclear; and David Lochbaum, Union of Concerned Scientists.

See Beyond Nuclear comprehensive post about the "We Almost Lost Detroit" meltdown 50-year commemoration, including a large number of links to additional information and documentation.

Sailors exposed to Fukushima radiation one step closer to justice

Lawyers for U.S. sailors suffering illnesses associated with radiation exposure from the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe presented oral arguments before the 9th circuit court in Pasadena, CA in September. This follows two victories before the district federal court in San Diego, CA and two legal appeals by TEPCO who is being sued for compensation in this first-of-its-kind case. Determination in this case is expected within 60 days.

Sailors' illnesses include leukemia, ulcers, gall bladder removal, brain cancers and tumors, testicular cancers, thyroid illnesses, stomach complaints, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and still births and birth defects among their children. Seven people have already died including a child who was riddled with tumors. Currently, 400 sailors are in the lawsuit and additional plantiffs continue coming forward. For wonderful video and audio coverage of the sailors' plight, see EON and Nuclear Hotseat.  More

Lawsuit helps secure postponement of unprecedented shipments of highly radioactive liquid waste

In August, an environmental coalition, including Beyond Nuclear, launched a legal challenge against 150 imminent truck shipments of highly radioactive liquid wastes from Chalk River, Ontario, through multiple states to Savannah River Site, South Carolina. Such Mobile Chernobyls on steroids are unprecedented in North America. The U.S. Department of Energy has now agreed to delay shipments until February, until the legal proceeding is resolved. Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Gillibrand and Representative Higgins (both Democrats from New York, the most likely border crossing) have urged DOE to undertake a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Canadian and U.S. grassroots groups have written President Obama and Prime Minister Trudeau, as well as the Great Lakes Executive Committee and International Joint Commission, calling for proper notification and an EIS re: such high-risk shipments, targeted to cross bridges spanning the Great Lakes, drinking water supply for 40 million people in eight states, two provinces, and a large number of Native American First Nations. More

With Paris Climate Accord ratified, renewables take the lead

With the historic ratification this week of the Paris Climate Accord -- the global agreement on climate change -- its success will rely heavily on renewables and energy efficiency.  Meanwhile nuclear energy will play a minor role, given it is "unable to accelerate its deployment," predicts the 2016 World Nuclear Industry Status Report. Indeed, "more units might close than start up," it states. Unlike fast and flexible renewables, "it is highly unlikely that many, if any, countries will be able to increase their use of nuclear power over and above the level already included in their existing pledges, given the length of time that nuclear power takes to plan, license and build," says the report. More

Beyond Nuclear takes part in Native American Forum on Nuclear Issues in Las Vegas

Native Community Action Council logoBeyond Nuclear is honored and privileged to be invited by the Native Community Action Council (NCAC) to present at its Native American Forum on Nuclear Issues, taking place on October 10 & 11, 2016, at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas (UNLV). See the event flier here, and the agenda/program here. Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN), a leader of the resistance to the Dakota Access crude oil pipeline in ND, will take part. Beyond Nuclear has long worked with IEN, NCAC members, and environmental justice allies such as Honor the Earth, to oppose high-level radioactive waste dumps targeted at Native lands, such as Yucca Mountain, NV and Skull Valley, UT.