nuclearpower

Slide 1: 

Nuclear Power is Expensive. The construction of Southern Company’s nuclear plant Vogtle near Waynesboro, Georgia in Burke County along the Savannah River resulted in the worst rate hike Georgians ever experienced. Original estimates ballooned from more than $600 million for four reactors to more than $8 billion for a 2-reactor plant. Now Georgia Power and its utility partners hope to build up to two more reactors at Vogtle costing billions of more dollars. Nuclear Power Invites Terrorism. FBI director Robert S. Mueller said, before the Select Committee on Intelligence in the US Senate in February 2005, “Another area we consider target rich and vulnerable is the energy sector, particularly nuclear power plants.” Storing dangerous, highly radioactive spent nuclear fuel outside the reactors in casks or transporting it across the country presents an inviting terrorist target and puts all affected communities at risk. For instance, a 1982 Congressional report estimated that if a meltdown occurred at just one of Plant Vogtle’s reactors, it could cause up to 39,000 immediate injuries with costs of over $70 billion (in 1980 dollar and Census figures). [U.S.House of Rep., Calculation of Reactor Accident Consequences for U.S. Nuclear Power Plants (Health Effects & Costs), Nov. 1st, 1982.] Nuclear Power Threatens Our Security. “Nuclear power entails potential security risks, notably the possible misuse of commercial or associated nuclear facilities and operations to acquire technology or materials as a precursor to the acquisition of a nuclear weapons capability.” (Future of Nuclear Power, MIT,2003) Nuclear power reactors create plutonium during their operating cycle—plutonium from which nuclear bombs can be manufactured. Plutonium is one of the most toxic man-made substances known, remaining radioactive for more than 240,000 years. Why it is a problem and what needs to be done to protect our communities. Nuclear Power Fact Sheet

Slide 2: 

For more information contact Southern Alliance for Clean Energy 912.201.0354 or www.cleanenergy.org Nuclear Power Pollutes. Radioactive spent fuel (nuclear waste) is dangerous and remains radioactive for millions of years and we have yet to find a solution for effective nuclear waste management. More reactors means more nuclear waste in Georgia. There is no safe level of radiation, no ‘safe’ dose. Radiation exposures damage reproductive cells and can lead to mutations from generation to generation in humans and animals. Each new exposure to radiation adds to the risk of: genetic mutations and cancer, damage to the immune system, spontaneous abortion, mental retardation, spina bifida, heart disease, leukemia and more. [Nat’l Academy of Sciences, BEIR V & VII; World Health Organization, & more.] Nuclear power threatens our water supply. All reactors must be located next to large bodies of water to create steam to power the turbines and to continuously cool the fuel rods in the reactor core to prevent meltdown. Plant Vogtle, along the Savannah River, currently withdraws over 60 million gallons of water per day, returning only 1/3 of that amount. More reactors will result in much more water needed--competing with other important needs here in Georgia. Hot water is also discharged to the river and this “thermal pollution” can stress organisms living within the area and impact the surrounding environment. More reactors will only make this worse. What can you do to help? Contact the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. They are responsible for licensing new nuclear power plants. Comment on the draft Environmental Impact Statement for two proposed new reactors at Plant Vogtle by 11/28/07. You can send written comments by email to VOGTLE_EIS@nrc.gov. Tell your local utilities that you have concerns about nuclear power. Urge them to redirect their investments towards affordable, clean, & safe energy solutions such as bioenergy, wind, solar and energy efficiency that can help farmers, forest interests, and rural communities throughout Georgia. Urge your elected officials to support legislative initiatives that give incentives to energy efficiency and renewable energy and that discourage the continued use of nuclear power. Join Southern Alliance for Clean Energy at www.cleanenergy.org and build a strong coalition that will advance clean, safe, energy solutions in Georgia!