Shut it Down Before It Melts Down
“Shut It Down Before It Melts Down!”
Community Meeting Opposing the 20 Year License Extension at
Palisades Nuclear Power Plant
When:
Saturday, December 17, 2005, from 1 to 3 pm (informal discussion till 4 pm for those who can stay that long)
Where:
Location to be announced, but most likely The Old Harbor Inn, the public library, or another downtown location in South Haven, Michigan. The exact location and its address should be known by Monday, December 12, at which time a follow up announcement will be made. Contact Alice Hirt of Don’t Waste Michigan at home number 616.335.3405 or at her cell 616.218.6511, or Kevin Kamps of NIRS at his office 202.328.0002 ext. 14 or his cell 240.462.3216, for the latest on the meeting location.
Who and What:
David Kraft from Nuclear Energy Information Service in Evanston, Illinois will describe citizen epidemiology, a grassroots door-to-door method that could be used to assess what health impacts around Palisades can be attributed to radiation releases from the reactor.
(Continued...)
Kevin Kamps from Nuclear Information and Resource Service in Washington, D.C. and Alice Hirt of Don’t Waste Michigan in Holland will give updates on the citizen intervention before the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s licensing board against the 20 year license extension being sought by Palisades. They will also discuss recent developments, such as major announcements that Palisades will replace its deteriorated reactor vessel head, and that CMS/Consumers Energy has put Palisades up for sale (seeing as Exelon Nuclear, based in Chicago, is the most likely of any utility to buy Palisades, David Kraft can give us the inside scoop about Exelon – he’s been watch-dogging it – and its predecessor Commonwealth Edison -- for nearly 25 years!).
Maynard Kaufman and Barb Geisler of Michigan Land Trustees, as well as Chuck Jordan of the Green Party of Van Buren County (all official intervenors against the Palisades license extension) will be in attendance and can discuss renewable energy alternatives to nuclear power, such as wind power and solar power, as well as energy efficiency.
A question and answer period and brainstorming session will follow the presentations. Everyone concerned about Palisades can join the discussion and help formulate a strategy to block the 20 year license extension!
Why (a meeting so close to the holidays?):
Because it’s the only chance we have to glean David Kraft’s wisdom before he leaves for an extended stay overseas; because of many recent developments at Palisades; and because the new year will bring many fast-breaking challenges and opportunities that we need to be prepared for!
For more information, contact: Alice Hirt, Don’t Waste Michigan, home 616.335.3405, cell 616.218.6511; Kevin Kamps, NIRS, office phone 202.328.0002 ext. 14, cell phone 240.462.3216.
This event is sponsored by NIRS, Don’t Waste Michigan, Coalition for a Nuclear-Free Great Lakes, and the Green Party of Van Buren County. These organizations are part of a coalition of two dozen grassroots environmental, public interest, and safe energy organizations representing hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents in opposition to the 20 year license extension at Palisades.
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!
Posted by Chuck Jordan at December 11, 2005 12:25 PM