Tri-Valley CAREs
Communities Against a Radioactive Environment
Friday, December 17, 2015
Posted by Joseph Rodgers
As mentioned elsewhere on our site, Lawrence Livermore National Lab (LLNL) contains four buildings on the National Nuclear Security Agency’s top ten structures most at risk for spreading contamination.
On November 17 and 18 the LLNL held a tour for Tri-Valley CAREs. Members of the community met with the technical experts leading the Superfund cleanup of LLNL’s main site in Livermore and an explosive test facility in Tracy named Site 300.
The tours allowed scientists to discuss the risks posed by onsite contamination and to showcase innovative developments in environmental clean up technology.
Click here for more.
Wednesday, December 15, 2015
Posted by Marylia Kelley
Senator Edward Markey sent a letter yesterday to the President requesting that Obama cancel the new nuclear Long-Range Stand Off warhead and the new cruise missile on which it would be launched.
Senator Dianne Feinstein was one of the first to sign the Markey letter. And, now, Senator Barbara Boxer has added her name. A huge thank you is due to the Tri-Valley CAREs members and friends who made calls to their Senate offices. YOU made the difference!
Now, we are asking our members to call the capitol switchboard at 202.224.3121 to thank our two Senators from California for supporting the cancellation of this horrific, destabilizing new nuclear weapon.
The letter references plans to develop 1,000 to 1,100 new nuclear-tipped cruise missiles, which are projected to cost $20 - $30 billion to build. "Outdated and unnecessary nuclear weapons are relics of the past," write the Senators. "Your administration should instead focus on capabilities that keep our economy and defense strong while reducing the role of nuclear weapons."
Senators signing the letter include Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
Click here to read their letter to the President.
Updated: Thursday, December 10, 2015
Posted by Marylia Kelley
GREAT NEWS - Today, Senator Feinstein said "YES" to our request to ask President Obama to remove funding for the new Long-Range Stand Off Warhead from his budget request. THANK YOU FOR CALLING HER OFFICE!
Right now, the Obama Administration is drafting the Fiscal Year 2017 Budget for nuclear weapons. It contains plans to accelerate development of a new nuclear weapon, called the Long-Range Stand Off (LRSO) warhead and cruise missile.
The LRSO warhead is being designed at Livermore Lab to be launched atop a new, stealthier cruise missile to be designed by the Pentagon.
Current plans call for designing and building 1,000 of these horrific new nuclear weapons at an estimated cost upwards of $20-$30 billion.
Click here for more.
Please call Senator Boxer today at 202-224-3121.
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Here are some resources to further inform your LRSO activism!
For an op-ed in the Washington Post by former Secretary of Defense William Perry and former Assistant Secretary Andy Weber, titled, “Mr. President, Kill the New Cruise Missile,” click here.
For a blog by Tri-Valley CAREs’ intern Joseph Rodgers summarizing key facts about the new LRSO and cruise missile, click here.
To read about the LRSO in “The Growing U.S. Nuclear Threat,” by Tri-Valley CAREs and other organizations in the Alliance for Nuclear Accountability, click here.
For additional information, check back issues of our Citizen’s Watch newsletter click here.
You can also call us at 925-443-7148 to find out how you can stay involved with Tri-Valley CAREs throughout the coming year to stop this new nuclear weapon and the $1 trillion new “arms race” of which it is a part.
Remember, your call now to Senator Boxer can make a huge difference! Use the capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121.
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Posted by Scott Yundt
Join us for some great food, adult and other beverages, music and fun and frivolity galore. We will also award the top 3 winners of our 2015 Youth Video Contest and their videos will be shown. The party is a time to celebrate, see old friends, meet new friends, support TVC and promote youth involvement. Don't miss it.
Tuesday, December 8, 2015 5 - 8 PM
Location: Livermore Public Library 1188 South Livermore Ave. Community Rooms A & B, Livermore
More Info: (925) 443-7148
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Posted by Scott Yundt
There were many wonderful entries in our 2015 Youth Video Contest. Our panel of judges had a very hard time picking their favorites, and in fact, we had a tie for third place. So below are the four top videos as rated by our panel of judges. Thanks to all of those who entered and we hope to see you all at our awards ceremony at the Livermore Library on December 8th.
- First Place Winner - 60 Years in the Making by Julie Lim
- Second Place Winner - Livermore: A Call to Action by Shawn Roselius
- Third Place Winner (Tie) - The Nuclear Diet by Joseph Rodgers
- Third Place Winner (Tie) - Livermore Labs Nuclear Waste Reality Check by Damanpreet Singh
Click here for more about our 2015 Youth Video Contest...
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Posted by Scott Yundt
Currently, post-1973 Livermore Lab employees who believe they have been made ill by on-the-job exposures must go through a burdensome process called "dose-reconstruction," whereby the Department of Labor recreates the employee's on the job radiation dose looking at their specific records. If the illness is determined, by Department of Labor medical consultants, to have a 50% or more likelihood of causing the claimed illness, the claimant is approved. Unsurprisingly, this process rarely results in approval. Click here to read more...
There is a public meeting in Livermore on Tuesday, November 17th at 7pm to discuss the SEC expansion and hear from workers about the conditions during this period.
Location: Robert Livermore Community Center, Palo Verde Room, 4444 East Avenue, Livermore, CA
Contact Scott at Tri-Valley CAREs if you have questions about this event and how you might participate. 925-443-7148
Click here to read the invitation.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Posted by Scott Yundt
Tri-Valley CAREs played a pivotal role in getting this story out and in providing background information to the Wall Street Journal senior reporter. Note that Livermore Lab has 4 of the top 10 highest-risk buildings in the nuclear weapons complex!
Click here to read the article.
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Posted by Joseph Rodgers
The Pentagon has requested that a new nuclear capable Long-Range Stand Off (LRSO) weapon be developed to replace an old air-launch cruise missile. The Air Force has plans to purchase over 1,000 LRSO’s. The Air Force currently has a stockpile of about 575 nuclear-capable air launch cruise missiles. The development of the LRSO would increase U.S. nuclear air launch cruise missile capacity by nearly 200%.
The Lawrence Livermore Lab has been placed in charge of refurbishing the nuclear explosive package and developing detonators for the new LRSO. Sandia Lab, also in Livermore, is responsible for the construction of some non-nuclear parts and for systems integration. Sandia Lab says that this program “will develop the next generation of weapon scientists and engineers and give them hands-on experience in a system development and integration program”.
Click here for more.
Additionally,two former leaders in the defense department, William J. Perry and Andy Weber, recently wrote a piece in the Washington Post requesting that President Obama stop the development of the LRSO.
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Posted by Scott Yundt
Updated, Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Posted by Marylia Kelley
Haga clic aqui para ver esta informacion en Espanol.
Click here for an overview of the Livermore Lab Superfund cleanup.
Click here for the Site 300 Community Acceptance Criteria Sign-on Letter
Haga cliq aqui Firme esta carta.
Tri-Valley CAREs attorney Scott Yundt tells about Livermore Labs Superfund #300 cleanup site from Gene Beley on Vimeo.
Tri-Valley Cares meeting discusses nuclear bomb tests and polluted water at Livermore Labs' Site 300 and other locations from Gene Beley on Vimeo.
TweetThursday, October 8, 2015
Posted by Scott Yundt
After years of contentious litigation, Livermore Lab and 129 former employees have finally reached a mutual settlement under which the Lab has agreed to pay $37.25 million in contract damages. The dispute arises out of a 2008 mass lay-off, the first move of the then new private manager, Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC.
Click here to read more about the settlement from the Independent newspaper.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Posted by Marylia Kelley
The Fall 2015 edition of Tri-Valley CAREs' newsletter, Citizen's Watch, is now ready for you to enjoy. Click into the PDF link, and you will find:
Tracy Community Meeting - Polluted Water, Nuclear Weapons & Our Health Page 1 & Insert
Getting Behind the Fence -Tours of LLNL Main Site and Site 300 Page 1
Peace & Strategy - Our Program Priorities Pages 2
Youth Video Contest - Win $500 Page 4
Alerts 4 You - Upcoming Tri-Valley CAREs Events Page 3
We are Appealing - Support Tri-Valley CAREs Insert
Urgent and Toxic - Hazardous Waste Permit Renewal Page 1
Disarmament at Livermore -70th Anniversary of Hiroshma & Nagasaki Page 1
Print Bites - Iran Deal, MOX Plant, Pope News Pages 2 & 3
Contamination Danger - Livermore's Excess Facilities Problem Page 4
Alerts 4 You - Upcoming Tri-Valley CAREs Events Page 3
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Posted by Joseph Rodgers (Tri-Valley CAREs' Research & Communications Intern)
On September 17, 2015 the sixty-day congressional review period for the Iran deal expired. Throughout last week the Senate voted on multiple resolutions to prevent the Obama administration from waiving sanctions on Iran as required under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). All resolutions failed to gather the necessary 60 votes required to stop the deal. This means that the agreement with Iran will not be undermined by the U.S. Congress.
Click here to read more...
Click here for the Joint Statement announcing the Iran Nuclear Agreement.
Click here to read the full text of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Click here to read Annex 1 to the JCPOA on nuclear related commitments.
Click here to read Annex 2 to the JCPOA on sanctions related commitments.
Click here to read Annex 3 to the JCPOA on civil nuclear cooperation.
Click here to read Annex 4 to the JCPOA on the joint commission.
Click here to read Annex 5 to the JCPA, the implementation plan.
Click here to read endorsements of the Iran Nuclear Deal from 60 of America's top national security leaders.
Click here to read an article about the UN Security Council's endorsement of the Iran Nuclear Deal
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Posted by Marylia Kelley
This occurs as world leaders gather in New York for the opening session of the UN General Assembly. Elimination of nuclear arsenals has been a major goal of the UN since its inception.
Tri-Valley CAREs will host a “Letter to the Editor” (LTE) writing party on this topic at its offices on September 3rd at 5:30 PM. We will conduct a short “how to” briefing for novice LTE writers and offer informational handouts about this UN Day to get you started. Call 925-443-7148 or email [email protected] for details. Join us!
Click here for more...
Visit unfold zero for details and additional event ideas.
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Posted by Marylia Kelley
The next set of Urban Shield exercises will take place at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds beginning on Friday, September 11 and ending with a banquet on Monday, September 14, 2015.
Click here for more...
Updated Wednesday, August 13, 2015
Posted by Marylia Kelley
More than 300 anti-nuclear activists gathered outside the Livermore Nuclear Weapons Lab on August 6 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima - and to advocate for global nuclear disarmament.
Keynote speakers included famed whistleblower and nuclear weapons analyst, Daniel Ellsberg, and atomic-bomb survivor, Takashi Tanemori. Tri-Valley CAREs’ executive director Marylia Kelley described the Lab's ongoing nuclear weapons activities, while Chizu Hamada drew links between the nuclear bomb and nuclear power. Country Joe McDonald provided a rousing musical interlude.
The rally was followed by a march to the Livermore Lab main gate where Hamada led the crowd in a traditional Japanese Bon Dance that traversed four lanes across the gate. Peace advocates then staged a "die in" and had their bodies chalked on the roadway to symbolize the victims vaporized in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. More than 50 peaceful protesters, including Ellsberg, chose to risk arrest for blocking the roadway and were cited and released.
Links to photos, news articles, video and radio broadcasts can be found below. We will continue to add links as additional materials become available.
Click here to read the program from the event.
Click here and here to see some great pictures of the event.
Click here to read an article from the Contra Costa Times on the event.
Click here to read an article from Street Spirit on the event.
Click here to read an article from Nuclear News on the event.
Click here to listen to a radio interview with our Exective Director live from the event.
Click here to listen to a radio broadcast of some of the event rally and some interesting interviews.
Click here to view some video of the event.
Click here to view some more video of the event.
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Posted by Marylia Kelley
The Summer 2015 edition of Tri-Valley CAREs' newsletter, Citizen's Watch, is now ready for you to enjoy. Click into the PDF link, and you will find:
Click here to download the PDF.
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Posted by Scott Yundt
Tri-Valley CAREs conducted significant outreach encouraging members of the public to comment on Livermore Lab's Hazardous Waste Permit Renewal.
Click here to open our detailed comments.
Click here to open our "sign and send" comments. You can sign and send these to the DTSC via email or postal mail. Add your own comment to the bottom if you wish.
Haga clic aqui para ver esta informacion en Espanol.
Click here to view the Draft Hazardous Waste Permit Renewal for Livermore Lab
Click here to view the Health Risk Assessment for Hazardous Waste Treatment and Storage Facilities, LLNL, December 2010. (Prepared by LLNL for DTSC's Hazardous Waste Permit Renewal Process)
Click here to view the Public Hearing Flier (public hearing was held June 3, 2015).
Haga clic aqui para ver esta informacion en Espanol.
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Posted by Marylia Kelley
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Posted by Julie Kantor
The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) has continued its efforts to compel the United States government to comply with its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), asking the ninth circuit Court of Appeals to reverse the District Court’s decision to dismiss the case and to remand the case to require the U.S. government to answer the complaint.
On Friday, July 17th 2015, Tri-Valley CAREs filed an Amicus Curiae brief, to support the case, focused on how the activities at the Lab illustrate the failure of the U.S. to meet its obligations to negotiate nuclear disarmament in good faith under the NPT. Tri-Valley CAREs also describes the significant nuclear weapons work being done at Livermore and the legal basis for maintaining venue in the Northern District of California as preferred by the RMI.
The RMI was used as the testing ground for 67 nuclear tests conducted by the United States from 1946 to 1958. These tests - equivalent to 1.6 Hiroshima bombs being exploded daily for 12 years - resulted in lasting health and environmental problems for the Marshall Islanders. The 1952 test of the first U.S. hydrogen bomb was code named "Ivy Mike". As a result of this test, the island of Elugelab in the Enewetak atoll was destroyed. The RMI Nuclear Zero lawsuit against the U.S. seeks no compensation, but, rather, seeks action to commence and conclude negotiations for complete nuclear disarmament by 2020, thus ending the nuclear weapons threat for all humanity, now and in the future.
Click here to read more about it.
Click here for the "Nuclear Zero" lawsuits webpage with more info and documents.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Posted by Scott Yundt
(Click Image to read full article)
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Posted by Marylia Kelley
Tri-Valley CAREs recently sent 5 people to "DC Days." We were joined by more than 50 activists from around the country to speak truth to power about the impacts of nuclear weapons on their communities. Over 80 meetings were held with members of Congress, their staff and with Agency officials.
(L to R) Scott Yundt, Hayden King (presenting the ANA report "Growing US Nuclear Threat"), Representative Eric Swalwell, Erin Vistnes, and Jessica Garcia.
Our team included current student interns Hayden King and Erin Vistnes, and Jessica Garcia, our 2014 legal intern and Livermore resident who is attending the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Staff members Scott Yundt and Marylia Kelley rounded out the Tri-Valley CAREs delegation.
Yundt, who also served on the planning committee for the four-day event, won the the Alliance for Nuclear Accountability’s "Grassroots Activist Award."
Attend our May 21st Tri-Valley CAREs meeting. Our team will give a report back and discuss next steps!
Click here to download ANA's new report "The Growing U.S. Nuclear Threat."
Click here for Tri-Valley CAREs Press Release about DC Days.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Posted by Scott Yundt
Click here to download ANA's new report "The Growing U.S. Nuclear Threat."
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Posted by Robert Civiak
Click here to download the chart which visualizes the massive increase in U.S. spending for nuclear warheads, despite a shrinking arsenal. We will be using in meetings in Washington DC next week...
Additionally, in the DOE NNSA's Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Request to Congress for Livermore Lab, Nuclear Weapons Activities still dominate the budget at over 85%. Click on the pie chart to see more...
Click here to download the pie chart...
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Posted by Maryla Kelley
The Spring 2015 edition of Tri-Valley CAREs' newsletter, Citizen's Watch, is now ready for you to enjoy. Click into the PDF link, and you will find:
Livermore Lab - Toxic Waste Permit Renewal Page 3
Nuclear Budget Pork - New Warheads & the Budget Request Page 1
DC Days 2015 - Meet Our Team Page 3
Letter from Our Director - How You Can Support Tri-Valley CAREs Insert
Alerts 4 You - Upcoming Tri-Valley CAREs Events Page 3
NIF and Plutonium - Lab Plans Proliferate Page 4
Save the Date- August 6th - 70th Anniversary of Hiroshima/Nagasaki Insert
Click here to download the PDF.
Monday, April 27, 2015
Posted by Scott Yundt
Tri-Valley CAREs organized a Global Wave event at the gate of Livermore Lab on Sunday, April 26th as part of the international gathering beginning today in New York later for the 5-year Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
Our picture will be included in a slide show shown to the full UN on Friday with dozens of other events from around the world. Thanks to all who took part.
Monday, April 13, 2015
Posted by Scott Yundt
Tri-Valley CAREs will be sending its Executive Director, Marylia Kelley, to New York later this month for the 5-year Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
Marylia will join several other distinguished panelists on two panels on the "modernization"" of nuclear weapons, globally and in the US. Please come if you will be at the Conference, and please share with others who may be interested.
During the Conference, you can be part of an international action of people around the world “waving” goodbye to nuclear weapons right here in Livermore. Click here for more...
Tri-Valley CAREs Executive Director, Marylia Kelley, will be participating in the Peace & Planet activist conference and rally in New York City the weekend before the opening of the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) at the UN. Here is an invitation to a panel on which she will be speaking on Saturday. Check it out...
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Posted by Marylia Kelley
Tri-Valley CAREs Staff Attorney, Scott Yundt, will join other distinguished speakers on a free upcoming panel in Oakland.
Scott will speak about Tri-Valley CAREs' challenge to a bio-warfare agent laboratory at Livermore Lab and how that experience informs communities seeking to monitor or challenge proposed synthetic biolabs. Should be an interesting panel, hope to see you there. Reserve your tickets today!
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Posted by Marylia Kelley
Check out the following 2-minute, youth-made video on nuclear disarmament and the Peace & Planet Conference that will precede the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review at the UN in NY this April. Tri-Valley CAREs will be at the conference. Plus, we will be doing the "Wave" in Livermore. Check it out... (and enjoy the accompanying Michael Franti song!)
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Posted by Scott Yundt
At Tri-Valley CAREs we appreciate all you do to help achieve a more peaceful, just and nuclear weapons free world. Today, we offer you a concrete opportunity to move the government in that direction by cutting the budget for nuclear weapons. Here’s how…
As you know from our e-alerts, President Obama’s recent budget request contains a double-digit increase for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and squanders billions on new nuclear weapons programs.
Right now, Congress is beginning the legislative process to decide what the actual budget for nuclear weapons will be. This is where you and your Senators and Representative enter the picture…
This month, companion bills will be introduced in the House and Senate that would save $100 billion over the next ten years by making targeted reductions to U.S nuclear weapons and the NNSA nuclear weapons complex. Both bills are called the Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures (SANE) Act.
Are your Senators cosponsors yet? How about your Representative?
Click here for more...
Click here for the bill text.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Posted by Scott Yundt
Starting on March 20th, participants are walking from San Francisco to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference at the United Nations in New York City on April 26th. On the way they will pass through varoius places touched by the nuclear weapons complex, including Livermore on March 24th. Thre will be a vigil at the Livermore Lab West Gate at 4:30 pm as the peace walkers arrive. Tri-Valley CAREs will be present to welcome them and to say a few words about our work. Please join us.
Location: Livermore Lab West Gate, Vasco Road, Livermore
More Info: (925) 443-7148
Click here to learn more about the Peacewalk.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Posted by Scott Yundt
Today is the 45th anniversary of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) entering into force. In Article VI of the treaty, states agreed to pursue negotiations leading to an end to the Arms race at an early date. And, the International Court of Justice ruled that Article VI means that the nuclear weapons states must conclude those negotiations and achieve the disarmament they promised. Now, it's 45 years since the Treaty became law and there are no negotiations in sight. Time for us to demand global nuclear disarmament. No exceptions. Tri-Valley CAREs is working hard on this, and we invite your participation. Join us on Facebook or in person at events - and in any way you can. Together, we can do this!
Monday, March 2, 2015
Posted by Scott Yundt
As the 4th Anniversary of the March 11, 2011 earthquake, Tsunami and meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan approaches, communities around the country, including the Bay Area recognize the tragedy, the ongoing problems, and the warning for the future. Despite opposition by many in Japan and around the world, Prime Minister Abe's administration has stated its intention to restart nuclear reactors all over the country. Recently TEPCO, the company that operated the Fukushima Daiichi plant and is still decommissioning the plant, announced that it has been concealing an ongoing radiation leak at Fukushima for months. Additionally, huge challenges remain in the cleanup of the contaminated region.
Click here to read a letter from Tri-Valley CAREs to Japan's Prime Minister Abe regarding Japan's nuclear energy.
You can join an action in front of the Japanese Consulate in San Francisco on March 11, 2015 from 2:30-4:30pm to deliver letters to Prime Minister Abe. Additionally activists will be asking PG&E to shutdown California's Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. The event takes place at 275 Battery Street, Suite 2100, San Francisco.
If you can't make it to San Francisco on 3/11, don't worry. You can participate right from your home or office in "Unplug Nuclear Power." In remembrance of the (still ongoing) tragedy and contamination at the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant, people around the country will make arrangements to "unplug" themselves from the grid as much as possible on the anniversary date - MARCH 11. Join us! Click here to learn more about "Unplug Nuclear Power."
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Posted by Scott Yundt
The DOE NNSA released the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Request to Congress. For Livermore Lab, Nuclear Weapons Activities still dominate the budget at over 85%. Click on the pie chart to see more...
Click here to download the pie chart...
3 PM, Monday, February 2, 2015
Posted by Marylia Kelley
President Obama sent his Fiscal Year 2016 budget request for nuclear weapons to Congress today, making it publicly available for the first time. At Tri-Valley CAREs, we are sifting through its thousands of pages for key details. We are concentrating on budget submittals of the Department of Energy and, in particular, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The NNSA is responsible for the design, development, testing, production and dismantlement of U.S. nuclear weapons as well as certain aspects of environmental cleanup (e.g., at Livermore Lab) and various other activities. Here is some of what we have uncovered so far.
Despite President Obama’s rhetoric on U.S. leadership in nuclear weapons disarmament, the NNSA received a double-digit boost in the President’s budget request, up from the already too high $11.4 billion appropriated in FY 2015 to a soaring $12.6 billion for the coming fiscal year, an increase of more than $1 billion. Budget austerity apparently applies more to programs of social uplift than those of mass destruction.
Click here for more...
Click here for the DOE and NNSA FY 2016 budget request.
Wedsnesday, January 28, 2015
Posted by Marylia Kelley
On behalf of Tri-Valley CAREs and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the law firm of Meyer, Glitzenstein, and Crystal sent a detailed, 10-page letter yesterday calling on the Secretary of Energy to cancel plutonium experiments at Livermore Lab’s National Ignition Facility (NIF). The plutonium experiments, also called shots, are slated to begin as early as Thursday, January 29, 2015.
The groups’ letter points out the potential health and environmental impacts as well as the planned experiments’ nuclear non-proliferation risks, poses key questions to the agency, and seeks to halt the plan until the questions are answered and required reviews are completed.
Click here to read more...
Click here to download the full Press Release...
Click here to download the letter...
Wedsnesday, January 21, 2015
Posted by Scott Yundt
The following documents were received by Tri-Valley CAREs in 2014 in response to Freedom of Information Act requests we made to the National Nuclear Security Administration asking for documents that concern the use of plutonium, other fissile and/or fissionable materials at the NIF. We requested this information in 2011 and again in 2013.
These documents formed the basis for the article in our November/December 2014 Citizen's Watch newsletter and the subsequent handout/flier for LLNL workers with the 10 good reasons plutonium in NIF is a bad idea.
Click here for more... Tweet
Friday, January 9, 2015
Posted by Marylia Kelley
On January 6, a group of Tri-Valley CAREs members joined friends from the Catholic Worker Farm in an early morning vigil at the Livermore Laboratory’s East Gate to oppose the planned use of plutonium in the National Ignition Facility.
The National Nuclear Security Administration and Livermore Lab management made a sudden announcement in December that plutonium experiments would begin in NIF in January, in essence launching this new and dangerous program as a “holiday surprise.”
Click here for more...
Click here to read and article about the vigil in the Contra Costa Times.
Monday, January 5, 2015
Posted by Marylia Kelley
The Livermore Lab has announced that it plans to begin plutonium experiments in the National Ignition Facility later this month. Tri-Valley CAREs has obtained some of the plans. Here are 10 good reasons it’s a bad idea.
1. The Lab has not figured out how to conduct the shots without contaminating the entire NIF target chamber, which differs from the original plan.
2. There will be at least 100 to 120 of these plutonium shots, conducted over a 10-year span. So the impacts involve many shots, not just one.
3. Lab documents say the experiments may “generate airborne contamination that exceeds the derived air concentration” (i.e., the legal limit). This plutonium would be outside the NIF target chamber.
Click here for more...
Tri-Valley CAREs is co-hosting a vigil with the Catholic Worker Farm to oppose plutonium use in the National Ignition Facility tomorrow, Tue., January 6 at 7 AM at the Lab’s East Gate on Greenville Rd., just south of Patterson Pass Rd. in Livermore.