Stop Nuclear Power Subsidies in Climate Change Bill

[Guest guest]

_Nuclear Information and Resource Service_

(http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=mfJh1iU2zghO2DTBuKBTiHWWT\

F/Fkvnr)

 

REMINDER: TOMORROW (FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11) IS

 

DON'T NUKE THE CLIMATE CALL-IN DAY

 

CALL BOTH YOUR SENATORS: 202-224-3121

 

 

December 10, 2009

 

Dear Friends,

 

Just a reminder: in solidarity with activists in Copenhagen working to

keep nuclear power out of any climate agreement--just as nuclear was rejected

in 2000--tomorrow is Don't Nuke the Climate Call-In Day.

 

Please take a few moments to call both your Senators at 202-224-3121 and

demand that they oppose any effort to add nuclear subsidies to the Senate

climate bill.

 

Just a couple hours ago, Sens. Kerry, Graham and Lieberman scheduled a

news conference for 2 pm today to announce the outlines of a new climate bill.

We don't yet know what they're going to say but it's not likely to be

good: expect plenty of proposed support for the nuclear power industry.

 

That makes it all the more important for everyone's voice to be heard

tomorrow.

 

_And, if you haven't sent a letter to your Senators and President Obama

in the past week, please do so here now. _

(http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=unKZ7C1jMz70onotuqdsnXWWT\

F/Fkvnr) More than 4700

letters already have gone in--thanks to all of you who sent your letter! But

that means a lot of you haven't yet sent a letter, and we need to be as vocal

as possible right now: we can--and must--do a lot better.

 

Organizations: please forward this Alert and/or this link to your e-mail

lists:

_http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5502/t/5846/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=2303_

(http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=rI1JV5lvb7bf3zC0HpierXWWT\

F/Fkvnr)

 

Individuals, please do the same: forward this message or the same link to

your friends, family, and colleagues.

 

A few talking points:

 

*There are many cheaper, faster, safer and cleaner alternatives to nuclear

power to reduce carbon emissions. We need to have the strongest possible

energy efficiency and renewable energy programs before Congress even

considers spending taxpayer dollars on new reactor construction. A

nuclear-free,

carbon-free energy future can be achieved before mid-century. See

_www.carbonfreenuclearfree.org_

(http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=emuTwNkCyVDuImYL13Vw63WWT\

F/Fkvnr) .

 

*The environmental movement continues to oppose new reactors as a means of

addressing the climate crisis. More than 850 organizations have signed a

statement saying so. Full list at _www.nirs.org_

(http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=CJiC+ZigF8fpZoPaqvHRCHzzy\

POh3Ul5) .

 

*Nuclear reactors, including the designs being considered for new

construction, remain dirty and dangerous. Every reactor releases radiation into

our

air and water on a routine basis--even though the National Academy of

Sciences has determined there is no safe level of radiation exposure

(Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation, July 2005).

*Two of the prominent reactor designs being considered--the Westinghouse

AP 1000 and the Areva EPR--both have received serious regulatory scrutiny in

the U.S. and abroad in the past two months because of major design

deficiencies that would adversely affect safety. See, for example, _this

letter

from environmental groups on the AP 1000_

(http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=8afXOBO5JtNW6sl2syS5BHWWT\

F/Fkvnr) , and _this one on

the EPR.

_

(http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=Htkw4BoV4Th6uUJUurjlfnWWT\

F/Fkvnr)

*The risks to taxpayers of billions of dollars in loan guarantees for new

reactor construction are just too great: such a program would simply be

another bailout for a failed industry that can't make it on its own. _Read an

excellent piece published today by Mother Jones here_

(http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=9YwsceUHrfjrTlgfPMIXQHWWT\

F/Fkvnr) .

 

As a little inspiration, _here is a link to a thought-provoking essay by

Mike Tidwell from Sunday's Washington Post_

(http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=PrJIhv3CBSu5iqqsN2azkXWWT\

F/Fkvnr) . Mike is with

Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN), which works closely with us in the

effort to stop UniStar Nuclear's proposed Calvert Cliffs-3 reactor in

Maryland. Very briefly, he argues we must turn our attention away from " going

green, " toward engaging in meaningful political action now.

 

And that's exactly what we're urging you to do now: take meaningful

action. Call your Senators tomorrow (and if you can't on Friday, do it on

Saturday!). 202-224-3121. Oppose the Kerry/Graham/Lieberman nuclear bailout.

Fight for real climate solutions, not big energy industry bailouts.

 

_And send your letters to your Senators and President Obama today._

(http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=qMTnYHl7b1U2FCz7iKYX2nWWT\

F/

Fkvnr)

 

Finally, for a little more inspiration, _here are photos_

(http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=DPyvsll3Z+ZkHWmUv68w5nWWT\

F/Fkvnr)

showing some of the banger-hangings and other actions of the activists in

Copenhagen; we hope this page will be updated regularly.

 

By the way, we're not going to send you another reminder tomorrow. We'll

be at the Department of Energy tomorrow morning with several other

Washington groups, performing a " Christmas Peril " street theater featuring

Montgomery Burns from The Simpsons; the three ghosts of Christmas; the sun, the

wind, and more.

 

And then at noon, I will be in the U.S. Capitol Building debating the

Nuclear Energy Institute on nuclear power and climate for an audience of

Congressional staffers. It would be great if every one of them had heard from

you before the debate!

 

Please support us tomorrow. Call your Senators tomorrow; write them today.

 

Thanks for all you do,

 

Michael Mariotte

Executive Director

Nuclear Information and Resource Service

_nirsnet_ (nirsnet)

_www.nirs.org_

(http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=8I0Kpw05Bgyg7OwRvdMBSnWWT\

F/Fkvnr)

__

You have received this email through your subscription to this

campaign's email list. If you did not , or would no longer like to

receive

email updates _ here_

(http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=Fq548/6euBhR4BKUrK8cKnWWT\

F/Fkvnr) .