[GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Green Party blasts Obama, NRC on approval of new nuclear reactors in Ga.; taxpayers to subsidize high cost & liability

[Green Party of California Updates]

GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org

For Immediate Release:
Friday, February 17, 2012



The Green Party blasts Obama, NRC on approval of new nuclear reactors in Georgia

US taxpayers to subsidize the high cost and high liability for the new
units, while Southern Co. reaps the profits

Green Party Speakers Bureau: Green leaders available to speak on energy
and related topics: http://www.gp.org/speakers/speakers-energy.php


WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party candidates and leaders strongly criticized a
Feb. 9 decision by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to issue the final
license for two new reactors located at the currently operating Vogtle nuclear
power plant near Augusta, Georgia.

Greens said that the 2011 Fukushima disaster, with radioactive water and waste
continuing to spill into the local environment, proves the need to put nuclear
power on permanent hold. Green Party leaders noted that residents near Plant
Vogtle claim that some cancers increased after 1987, when the Atlanta-based
Southern Company opened the first of the two existing reactors.

"The energy companies know that nuclear energy is extremely expensive and a
high risk for security, public health, and the environment. They saw what
happened in Fukushima, as well as Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. Rather than
gamble with their own money, energy companies have convinced President Obama
to pass the cost and liability on to US taxpayers," said Denice Traina,
Coordinating Council member and former co-chair of the Georgia Green Party
(http://www.greens.org/georgia).

The new units will cost more than $14 billion. The Obama Administration has
pledged $8.3 billion in federal loan guarantees for the construction. Southern
Co. has not yet invested any of its own money for the units, while Georgia
ratepayers are being asked to pre-fund construction payments in their current
bills. US taxpayers currently subsidize insurance coverage for the private
firms that own and operate all US nuclear plants.

Georgia has suffered multiple threats and radioactive releases from the
Southern Co. and Dept. of Energy nuclear complex. DOE operates its Savannah
River site bomb-making facility across the river from Shell Bluff, which hosts
Plant Vogtle's two reactors and is now targeted for two more reactors, despite
the cancer cluster that health officials have failed to study.

Tritium has been found in cows' milk in Girard, Georgia. A tritium spill at
the bomb plant led the Dixie Crystal sugar refinery to idle its Savannah
workforce while the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources closed the oyster beds
at the mouth of the Savannah River, with significant adverse economic
repercussions. Vogtle faced an emergency when a truck backed into a utility
pole, cutting off the cooling system, and backup generators failed to start.
Meanwhile, another Georgia-based Southern Co. facility, Plant Hatch, which is
now approaching the end of its license, has operated since its inception
without a containment dome.

"Despite these outrages, Georgia residents subsidize nuclear industry profits
with risks to our health and safety," said Bruce Dixon, press secretary of the
Georgia Green Party and managing editor for Black Agenda Report
(http://www.blackagendareport.com). "The policies which fund new nuclear
capacity, while forgoing needed investments in renewables, would not be
possible without discounting the lives of those who live in these sacrifice
zones. Having a black president offering the taxpayer guaranteed loans, with
his appointees granting the license, does not diminish the racism inherent in
these policies."

NRC chair Gregory Jaczko, appointed by President Bush, cast the lone
dissenting vote on the new licenses. The commissioners who voted for approval
included Democrats appointed by President Obama.

"Despite assurances from President Obama and other nuclear plant defenders,
there is no such thing as safe, clean, reliable nuclear energy," said Darryl!
Moch, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States. "The Green Party
supports a ban on new nuclear reactors and decommissioning of existing
reactors, and conversion to genuine safe and clean energy sources as we find
ways to reduce energy consumption."

"We have an opportunity to create millions of jobs in developing safe energy
technologies and converting to energy efficiency, by retro-fitting homes and
buildings, public transportation to reduce car traffic, and numerous other
projects. Unfortunately, Democratic and Republican party leaders, including
President Obama, lack the political will and are addicted to political
contributions from corporate PACs representing the energy industry," said Mr.
Moch.

Conversion from fossil fuel and nuclear energy and public works projects to
create new Green jobs are part of the Green New Deal promoted by Green candidates.

See also:

Nuclear Watch South
http://www.nonukesyall.org

"No More Solyndras: Groups Call On DOE to Force Public Release on Delays and
12 Secret Cost Overruns at Vogtle Reactors"
North Carolina Waste Awareness and Reduction Network, February 16, 2012
http://www.ncwarn.org/2012/02/nc-warn-allies-sue-nrc-over-new-reactors/

"An Anti-Nuclear Renaissance? Since the US government has not given up on
approving new reactors, we must not give up opposing them"
By Karl Grossman, Common Dreams, Feb. 13, 2012
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/02/13-0

"State Green Parties sponsor and host 'No Nukes Tour: Organize the South!',
October 3 to 8 in southern states"
Green Party press release, Sept. 29, 2011
http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=451

"Greens call President Obama's resurrection of nuclear power and handout for
Georgia nuclear reactors his 'worst idea yet'"
Green Party press release, Feb. 18, 2010
http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=297

MORE INFORMATION

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July 12-15, 2012 in Baltimore, Md.
http://www.gpconvention2012.com

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