Mothers for Peace
About Us
Our Mission
San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace is a non-profit organization concerned with the dangers posed by Diablo Canyon and other nuclear reactors, nuclear weapons, and radioactive waste. Additionally, the organization works to promote peace, environmental and social justice, and renewable energy.
Our Team
The group is a local, non-profit organization (501c3). Its members include mothers, grandmothers, and non-parents. Its membership is predominantly, but not exclusively, women.
Current Major Goals
Safer storage of Diablo Canyon’s radioactive wastes
- More robust casks
- Hardened On Site Storage (HOSS)
Stop Consolidated Interim Storage (CIS)
- Do NOT transport radioactive wastes by truck, rail or barges to New Mexico and Texas
- Do NOT ask economically depressed or minority communities to accept radioactive wastes from across the nation
- Keep the wastes at their sites of origin until a permanent repository is established, as required by federal law
Monitor operations of Diablo Canyon nuclear plant for safety issues
Work for earlier closure of Diablo Canyon
- PG&E has reneged on its commitment to close Unit 1 end of 2024; Unit 2 end of 2025. Mothers for Peace, its attorneys, allies, and experts are working to reverse the proposal for extended operation.
Educate the public about the dangers of nuclear weapons as well as nuclear energy
Support renewable energy sources as one way to address the climate crisis
Our Strategy
Monitors proceedings before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the California Public Utilities Commission, and other government agencies
Educates the public via social media, speaking events, rallies, mailings, letter-writing campaigns, letters to editors and opinion pieces in newspapers
Provides scholarships for local high school and college students whose goals and actions exemplify our mission.
Origins
The San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace was organized in 1969. A young mother wrote a letter to the editor of the local newspaper asking that people who shared her sadness and frustration at the needless loss of life in the Vietnam War join her in speaking out.
SLO County women and men joined together in opposition to the Vietnam War by educating draftees about being conscientious objectors, protesting atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons, and organizing peaceful marches and protests.
The shared values and compelling need
to act effectively as a group have continued to characterize the Mothers for Peace.
In 1973, Focus Turned to the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant and Legal Intervention
When the Vietnam War ended, Mothers for Peace turned to opposition of the nuclear plant that was being constructed in Avila Beach. The organization acquired intervenor status with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to oppose licensing.
For nearly five decades, Mothers for Peace has taken on the role of watchdog, challenging the NRC and Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) on safety issues and controversies concerning the construction, licensing, operation, and storage and disposition of the radioactive waste.
MFP utilizes all legal means to ensure, to the extent possible, the safe operation of the plant and its compliance with State and Federal Laws.
Path of Legal Resistance
Mothers for Peace has been involved in litigation and public hearings involving initial and subsequent licenses, seismic safety, County Emergency Response Plan, high level radioactive waste storage and transport risks, rate structure and deregulation, degradation of coastal waters, plant security, and now decommissioning plans.
Agencies
We Monitor
Diablo Canyon Independent Safety Committee (DCISC)
- This three-person Committee is charged with reviewing and making recommendations concerning the safety of operations at Diablo Canyon nuclear plant.
Diablo Canyon Decommissioning Engagement Panel (DCDEP)
This panel was convened by PG&E as a volunteer, non-regulatory, advisory body created to encourage open communication, public involvement, and education regarding the decommissioning plans and activities. Mothers for Peace Board Member Linda Seeley is a member of this Panel.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
This “independent” agency was created by Congress in 1974 to ensure the safe use of radioactive materials for beneficial civilian purposes while protecting people and the environment.
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
The CPUC is charged with regulating services and utilities, protecting consumers, safeguarding the environment, and assuring Californians’ access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services.
San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors (BoS)
This legislative arm of the County government implements policies and the provisions of services that will enhance the economic, environmental and social quality of life in San Luis Obispo County. It is the lead agency in the decommissioning process of the Diablo Canyon plant.
Annual
Projects
"Radiation that may be released from Diablo doesn’t stop at its gate; nature pays no attention to borders. The work you do now to stop nuclear power is a gift to future generations."
Award scholarships to high school seniors and a university upper class student who share our goals
Statement
on the Health
of the Planet
San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace (MFP) recognizes the many threats to the health of the planet and all its lifeforms. We acknowledge both the gravity and urgency in addressing the myriad issues.
The primary focus of MFP continues to be the dangers posed by the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant and the global issues of nuclear energy, nuclear weapons, and radioactive waste. Because we recognize that “all things are bound together” (Chief Seattle of the Suquamish and Duwamish Nations), MFP finds itself extending its work beyond its usual parameters to climate action, plastic pollution, biodiversity loss, social and environmental justice, and more. MFP is a local, all-volunteer organization. Its leadership is small in numbers but powerful in knowledge, experience, determination, and tenacity. MFP expands its sphere of influence through collaboration with a multitude of like-minded governmental agencies, citizen groups, scientific experts, and individuals holding public office.