A study prepared by experts within the NRC in 2000, warned of a 500-mile radiation spread in the event of "a catastrophic meltdown in the spent fuel pool of a nuclear plant could cause fatal, radiation-induced cancer in thousands of people as far as 500 miles from the site. The NRC analysis also states that millions of people within such a 500-mile zone might have to be evacuated for periods ranging from 30 days to one year and that people living within 10 miles of a nuclear plants might never be able to return to their homes? It also cites the potential for "prompt fatalities" from radiation poisoning that would occur in areas close to the plant site, where many radioactive particles would be expected to fall."

And yet, last month's emergency drill for SLO County, which included a terrorist attack at Diablo Canyon in the scenario, did not even attempt to determine whether the evacuation of Avila Beach and Avila Valley was feasible. These county residents live within 10 miles of Diablo Canyon, what was the county's Office of Emergency Services thinking when it planned the drill?

The nuclear industry argues that the NRC report "reflects a worst-case scenario and ignores the effectiveness of the nuclear safety systems." This is a bit surprising, as the NRC is the agency that approves nuclear safety systems and still found in its report that a catastrophic spent fuel pool meltdown possible even before 9/11. The report was pulled from the NRC's website after September 11th, but the Journal News recently obtained a copy.

Last month the attorney's general from 27 states sent a letter to the leadership of the house and senate strongly requesting that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission update its policy regarding terrorism and acts of malice or insanity. Our county must also act to inform our elected leaders and oversight agencies that are responsible for safety at American nuclear facilities that to continue to ignore the very difficult lessons of 9/11 is a threat to all citizens.

The people of New York are acting; they know what a terrorist attack can do to their families, their business, and their community. Residents there have raised over 6 million dollars and 32 counties have voted to shut down New York's Indian Point Nuclear Plant. Do you believe that 138 casks storing over 4, 000 high level radioactive fuel assemblies placed in the open like bowling pins on our coastal bluffs are safer than the nuclear facility in New York?