Radioactive Waste
High level radioactive waste is stored at Diablo Canyon in pools and in dry casks. Mothers for Peace is currently in litigation regarding the dry cask storage facility and the potential impact of terrorism on the surrounding environment. (Also see 'security and terrorism.')
The vulnerability of dry casks to terrorist attacks has been extensively studied. As the NRC proposes to update its so-called "Waste Confidence Act" and the Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement, it must recognize that, although dry casks are much less dangerous than spent fuel pools, the casks also need to be protected against potential terrorist attacks.
September 18 meeting on the NRC’s Draft Consequence Study regarding expedited transfer of spent fuel from high-density storage into dry storage/low-density storage is scheduled from 10:00am – 5:00pm, EDT. Pre-register with Kevin Witt at 301-415-2145 or Kevin.Witt@nrc.gov. if you wish to speak via phone bridge at 888-324-8193 and pass code: 4345562
The overcrowded spent fuel pools present the greatest dangers at the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant.
The overcrowded spent fuel pools present the greatest dangers at the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant.
The NRC will be holding a has public meeting on the Waste Confidence Act in San Luis Obispo on October 7, 2013. A link to details of location and time is included in the document below.
The challenge of permanent and safe storage of high-level radioactive waste from nuclear power plants has long been the Achilles’ heel of the industry. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has long reiterated that it has “confidence” that a solution will be forthcoming.
The NRC has failed for decades to come up with a realistic long-term plan for what to do with radioactive wastes from nuclear reactors. And now a federal court has ordered the agency to study the environmental impacts of storing spent fuel indefinitely in the event that no permanent nuclear waste repository comes to fruition.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) uses half-truths, distortions, and irrelevant information in its attempt to justify license renewal for the two nuclear reactors at Diablo Canyon.
In response to an opinion piece in The Tribune on July 14, 2013, Mothers for Peace spokesperson Jane Swanson rebutted the argument that local economics makes the operation of Diablo Canyon nuclear reactors imperative and relicensing thus essential. Mothers for Peace argues that SAFETY is the key concern.
In Seeking “Hurry Up” Outcome, NEI Even Urges NRC to Rely on Secret Papers That Cannot be Found by Agency; Industry Seeks to Undercut Serious Review of Reactor Pool Fires, Other Risks.
SAN LUIS OBISPO MOTHERS FOR PEACE + 23 OTHER GROUPS NATIONWIDE CHALLENGE THE NRC FOR RUSHING THE NUCLEAR “WASTE CONFIDENCE” PROCESS AND FAILING TO SATISFY COURT-ORDERED REQUIREMENTS. The incomplete process should trigger continued suspension of all reactor licensing and re-licensing actions.
Mothers for Peace joins with other groups to ensure public participation in decisions about radioactive waste.
Mothers for Peace joins with other groups to ensure public participation in decisions about radioactive waste.
Decision Follows 24 Groups’ June Petition in Wake of Major Waste Confidence Rule Decision; Most Reactor Projects Already Stymied by Bad Economics and Cheaper Fuel Alternatives
Seismic tests designed by PG&E threaten marine life and no not include studying a fault directly under Unit 1 reactor.
Decision Follows 24 Groups’ June Petition in Wake of Major Waste Confidence Rule Decision; Most Reactor Projects Already Stymied by Bad Economics and Cheaper Fuel Alternatives
The following summaries describe some of the post-Fukushima SLOMFP legal challenges. The more recent ones are listed first. Supporting legal documents and press releases are posted under the topic of License Renewal.
In a landmark decision on June 8, 2012, the U.S. Court of Appeals rejected the Waste Confidence Rule. This was followed by a petiton by 22 groups and 2 individuals to require the NRC to implement this decision before final licensing decisions are made. This includes Mothers for Peace and the relicensing decision regarding Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant.
View a slideshow presentation by David Lochbaum of Union of Concerned Scientists.
Read this article by Robert Alvarez in Issues in Science and Technology. "Storing spent radioactive fuel in dry form rather than in increasingly jammed cooling pools is much safer, and can be done with already available funds.