NEWS ITEMS

January 2010

BREDL files Brief regarding Dominion-Virgina Power's Appeal of North Anna Decision

Jan. 26, 2010: BREDL's brief filed on Jan 19 regarding Dominion-Virginia Power's appeal in Circuirt Court. The Dominion-Virginia Appeal is of the February 2009 Virginia Circuit Court's decision that ruled state agencies violated federal law and revoked the water quality permit for the North Anna nuclear station.

Joint Petitioners' Respond to TVA's Motion to Strike Supplemental Basis for Contention 6 regarding Bellefonte Nuclear facility

Jan. 25, 2010: Read the Petitioners' Response to TVA filed before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Atomic Safety and Licensing Board.

Rust Never Sleeps: Bellefonte Nukes Would Threaten Tennessee Valley

Jan. 11, 2010: Joint Petitioners file Supplemental Basis for Previously Submitted Contention 6 - TVA has not and cannot meet the NRC's Quality Assurance and Quality Control Requirements.

View BREDL's latest legal filing. | Read BREDL Press Release

December 2009

BREDL Answer Opposing Dominion Motion to Reconsider

Dec. 19, 2009: For over a year, the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board judges have allowed our intervention to proceed. Our argument that the power company has little or no plan for what to do with its radioactive waste is still not adequately addressed. In November the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board agreed that Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League’s position that Dominion-Virginia Power’s radioactive waste storage plan needs further study. Unhappy with the ruling, Dominion filed a motion for the Board to take a second look, called reconsideration. But Dominion’s Motion for Reconsideration sets up a straw man argument. Our answer to Dominion was filed on December 17. The judges could rule at any time.

Dec. 17 BREDL reply to Dominion-Virginia Power's motiion to dismiss our case against the third reactor at North Anna | Nov. 25 judges' ruling contested by Dominion

October 2009

Groups file Petition for Review regarding Vogtle Units 3 and 4
Oct. 29, 2009: Today organizations concerned with the high costs and environmental risks posed by Southern Company’s plan to build two new nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle near Augusta, Ga. announced their filing of an appeal in federal court to stop the proposed expansion.

Read Press Release | Download Petition for Review

"Love the Bay" Concert - Saturday, October 10

People Against A Radioactive Chesapeake (PAARC) is holding its first "Love the Bay" Concert on Saturday, October 10 from noon to 5:00 p.m. on the Boardwalk on the Chesapeake Bay in North Beach, Maryland.

Free admission ~ Donations Appreciated!

Contests and Prizes for kids of all ages!

More info: View Concert Flyer

Oct. 6, 2009: The Tennessee Valley Authority operates the Watts Bar nuclear power plant 50 miles northeast of Chattanooga. TVA has one nuclear reactor in operation there and seeks to open a second. The fundamental weakness of these plants is the "ice condenser" containment system which relies on baskets of ice to reduce temperature and pressure during an accident. If the ice systems fail, the relatively weak concrete structure is no match for the pressures created during a meltdown.

BREDL comments to US NRC

September 2009

BREDL members and chapters in Virginia and supporters of the federal Clean Water Act everywhere hail landmark court victory.

On September 14, 2009 the Virginia Circuit Court judge issued her Final Order stating that Virginia's State Water Control Board wrongly allowed Dominion-Virginia Power to use part of Lake Anna as it's private waste lagoon. The Order finalizes the court's February 20 oral ruling and enters it into law. The decision means that the company's North Anna nuclear power plants may not continue to dump heated water into the lake unregulated and the state must now develop a permit which complies with the federal Clean Water Act. The Order Denying Appellees Joint Motion for Stay is another win for BREDL because the judge rejected the motion by the state and the company to suspend, or "stay," the effect of judge's ruling. The filing of the Final Order also sets the clock in motion for appeals. Stay tuned!

August 2009

Aug. 6, 2009: Citizens Groups Claim Victory - Commission Delays Nuclear Plants at Bellefonte: Today citizens’ groups claimed a victory in their fight against Tennessee Valley Authority’s drive to build four nuclear power plants in northeast Alabama. According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, further action on TVA’s proposal is halted until at least 2011. Spokespersons for the citizens’ groups see the two-year delay as vindication of their stand against TVA’s plan to complete two nuclear power reactors and to add two more at its Bellefonte site near Scottsboro.
BREDL Press Release | NRC Letters regarding delay

July 2009

July 2009: Since 1987 Plant Vogtle has generated electric power. Today, two nuclear reactors operate at the site on banks of the Savannah River in Burke County, Georgia. Now Southern Company wants to add two more nuclear reactors. But the two existing reactors have placed an unfair burden on residents. More would be an environmental injustice. Here’s why. BREDL Factsheet

BREDL comments to TDEC-DRH on the proposed license amendment to the IMPACT Services incinerator
July 7, 2009: BREDL comments to Tennessee Dept. of Environment and Conservation - Division of Radiological Health on the proposed license amendment to the IMPACT Services incinerator. Amendment is to their Tennessee Radioactive Material License to "authorize a pyrolytic volume reduction process for wastes contaminated with radioactive materials at the licensee's facility at the U.S. Department of Energy ETTP Complex on the Oak Ridge Reservation." BREDL comments

June 2009

BREDL files amended Contention Ten regarding the North Anna application
June 26, 2009: BREDL files amended Contention Ten regarding the application for a combined operating and construction license filed by Dominion Virginia Power. In order to meet its goal to assure NRC that there is space to store Class B and C radioacive waste material for ten years, Dominion Virginia Power has reduced its capacity for storage of Class A material from 6 months to 3 months. This is simply "Robbing Peter to pay Paul." View BREDL Amended Contention Ten

June 3, 2009: BREDL files legal brief with NRC. In short, the law does not authorize the NRC to reinstate a construction permit that has been terminated. Therefore, the Commission should vacate its decision and void TVA’s construction permits for Bellefonte Units 1 and 2. BREDL Legal Brief

May 2009

May 14, 2009: GROUPS TAKE AIM AT BELLEFONTE 1 AND 2 - Today three citizens’ groups announced a new lawsuit against TVA’s Bellefonte nuclear site in Alabama. The groups’ effort centers on the mothballed nuclear reactor units 1 and 2. They based their opposition on 14 separate flaws in the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s recent approval of a construction permit. The lawsuit was filed by the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, the Bellefonte Efficiency and Sustainability Team and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.

BREDL Press Release | BREDL Petition

April 2009

April 22, 2009: Nuclear Power in Hot Water - BREDL Earth Day update

April 17, 2009: BREDL Reply to Answers of Duke Energy and NRC Staff regarding new Contention Eleven on proposed W S Lee Nuclear Plants

March 2009

GROUP TAKES BELLEFONTE FIGHT TO A HIGHER COURT

March 31, 2009: Yesterday the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League filed a Petition for Review in the US Court of Appeals of the Bellefonte nuclear power plant in Alabama. The League seeks judicial review of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s reinstatement of construction permits for two nuclear reactors, the so-called Bellefonte 1 and 2. BREDL Press Release | Petition for Review | NRC's voting record

GROUP CHARGES NEW NUKES MUST WAIT
FOR RADIOACTIVE WASTE SOLUTION

March 10, 2009: Yesterday in a flurry of legal activity the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League filed new arguments opposing nuclear reactor licenses in Virginia, South Carolina and Alabama. The League acted because of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's failure to recognize that high-level radioactive waste storage would pose significant environmental risks at proposed nuclear power plants at TVA's Bellefonte, Duke Energy's WS Lee and Dominion Virginia Power's North Anna stations. Read BREDL Press Release (includes links to filing documents)

February 2009

Victory in Landmark Clean Water Act Challenge
League and Lake Residents Overturn Dominion Nuke Permit

Feb. 20, 2009: Today a Virginia court in Richmond ruled that state agencies violated federal law and that the water quality permit for Dominion-Virginia Power's North Anna nuclear station is revoked. Read BREDL Press Release | Background information | Transcript of Judge's Ruling

January 2009

Jan. 2, 2009: BREDL's reply to NRC and TVA regarding the Amended Contention NEPA-N at Bellefonte Nuclear Power Plant

December 2008

COURT HEARING FOR NORTH ANNA WATER CASE ON THURSDAY - On Thursday morning, December 18th, the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League’s appeal of the Dominion-Virginia Power North Anna permit will be argued in Richmond Circuit Court. More Details: Read BREDL Press Advisory

Dec. 16, 2008: GROUPS DISPUTE TVA COST FIGURES - NEW LEGAL CHALLENGE AT BELLEFONTE: Today citizens’ groups announced new cost arguments in their lawsuit against nuclear power at Tennessee Valley Authority’s Bellefonte site. The December 15th filing charges that TVA provided inaccurate cost information in its environmental report. In an 18-page request to the three-judge licensing board, the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, the Bellefonte Efficiency and Sustainability Team and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy charged that TVA violated the National Environmental Policy Act. Read BREDL Press Release | Read BREDL, BEST, SACE Dec. 15, 2008 Contention to ASLBP

GNEP the "Gargantuan Nuclear Expansion Program."

The US Department of Energy’s Global Nuclear Energy Partnership calls for building special nuclear reactors to use plutonium from nuclear waste for fuel. The plutonium would be separated from used nuclear fuel rods in a complicated process called reprocessing. Backers of the program are trying to sell GNEP as recycling but it is reprocessing, a technology abandoned by the US decades ago. Bobbie Paul, of the Women's Actions for New Directions chapter in Atlanta, rightly renamed GNEP the "Gargantuan Nuclear Expansion Program." Here's why. BREDL GNEP Fact Sheet

Attend one of the public hearings:

Tuesday, December 2, 7 p.m., New Hope Center, 602 Scarboro Road, Corner of New Hope and Scarboro Roads, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830

Thursday, December 4, 7 p.m., Aiken Technical College, Building 700--Amphitheater, 2276 Jefferson Davis Highway, Graniteville, South Carolina 29829.

Tuesday, December 9, 1 p.m., Holiday Inn Capitol, 550 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024.

September 2008

September 11, 2008: The legal brief BREDL filed today calls on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to suspend Tennessee Valley Authority's request to build and operate new nuclear reactors at Bellefonte. Contention Twenty details the total failure of TVA to include Bellefonte Units 1 and 2 with Bellefonte Units 3 and 4 in its application. In the 1970's TVA had planned to build two reactors, called Bellefonte 1 and 2, but abandoned the plan after spending about $4 billion. Earlier this year, TVA requested a license to build two new reactors, designated 3 and 4, at the Bellefonte site in Alabama. Last month, TVA asked the NRC to re-instate the permits for Bellefonte 1 and 2. Our brief details TVA's illegal attempt to circumvent the National Environmental Policy Act by failing to include the impacts of four nuclear reactors at Bellefonte. Read BREDL's Contention

August 2008

On August 25, 2008, the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League filed a motion to reconsider with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission in the Dominion Virginia Power licensing case. We have one legal argument, or contention, which has been accepted by the judges, but we think the NRC should do more. Hence, this motion. Also, we have formalized our opposition to oral arguments which were held on the telephone. BREDL Motion

Atomic Safety and Licensing Board grants hearing to BREDL on North Anna Unit 3

The judges of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board have granted a hearing to the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League on CONTENTION ONE: Dominion Lacks a Realistic Low-level Radioactive Waste Plan. The ASLB order issued August 15, 2008 states:

"We find that one of the Petitioner's contentions (Contention One) is admissible in part, and the Petitioner has therefore met the necessary prerequisite for the Board to grant a hearing request....BREDL has met the requirement to identify the specific deficiency in the Application and the reasons for its belief. We therefore conclude that Contention One satisfies the requirements of Section 2.309(f)(1). Dominion and the NRC Staff do not contend that Contention One, construed as a safety contention, was resolved in the [early site permit] proceeding....We therefore admit Contention One as a safety contention based on the omission of necessary information from the [final safety analysis report]."

Read ASLB Memorandum and Order

Regarding proposed new W S Lee Nuclear Power Units (posted online Aug. 11, 2008)

On July 22, 2008 both Duke Energy Carolinas and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff attorneys filed their answers to our petition. (Duke Answer | NRC Answer) BREDL filed a motion requesting more time to file our reply and the judges agreed. (BREDL Request) Our motion stated:

Contemporaneous proceedings initiated by the Commission are creating scheduling conflicts. These conflicts arise from license applications for licenses in Alabama, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia as well as South Carolina. While this development may not be the ASLB’s doing, neither is it the responsibility of the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League which merely seeks to represent its members in South Carolina and elsewhere.

On August 8, 2008 BREDL sent our reply to NRC and Duke Energy. (BREDL Reply)

Regarding proposed new North Anna Nuclear Power Units (posted online Aug. 11, 2008)

On April 28, 2008 the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League requested that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission grant a new deadline for the filing of petitions for leave to intervene. (BREDL request) This motion is based on an inadequate Notice of Hearing and Opportunity to Petition for Leave to Intervene published in the Federal Register. Dominion-Virginia Power responded to us two days later (Dominion Reply) and the NRC held to its deadline.

The June 3 replies from NRC and Dominion respond to our May 9th petition and uniformly oppose all our arguments. (NRC response | Dominion response ) In turn, we sent our reply to Dominion and NRC on June 11th. (BREDL Response)

On June 20th, the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board issued an order directing BREDL, and other the parties to focus the argument upon BREDL’s first, second, and third contentions. The Board said they were "not interested in hearing argument concerning the remaining contentions." (ASLB Order) BREDL objected and replied to the judges' order on June 30. (BREDL Reply) The Board was unresponsive and held the hearing via telephone conference on July 2nd.

July 2008

Regarding proposed new Bellefonte Nuclear Power Units

July 25, 2008: The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, its chapter Bellefonte Efficiency and Sustainability Team and the South Alliance for Clean Energy (“Petitioners”) hereby file this motion to admit all portions of our reply to NRC staff and the Tennessee Valley Authority filed July 8, 2008. Read July 25 Motion

July 18, 2008: In accordance with the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel’s Memorandum and Order of July 9, 2008 permitting Joint Petitioners to reply to the NRC Staff’s filing of July 14 regarding the timeliness of intervention petition, the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, its chapter Bellefonte Efficiency and Sustainability Team and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (hereinafter “Joint Petitioners”) hereby file their response. Read July 18 Response

July 15, 2008: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission hereby responds to the “Applicant’s Motion to Strike Portions of Petitioners’ Reply” filed on July 11, 2008, by the Applicant (Tennessee Valley Authority, “TVA”). The Motion seeks to strike portions of the “Reply of The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, its Chapter Bellefonte Efficiency and Sustainability Team and the Southern Alliance For Clean Energy to the NRC Staff Answer to Petition for Intervention and the Applicant’s Answer Opposing Petition To Intervene, Both Dated July 1, 2008.” (July 8, 2008). Read NRC July 15 response

July 11, 2008: On July 8, 2008, the Petitioners filed their “Reply of the Blue Ridge Environmental Defsense League, its Chapter Bellefonte Efficiency and Sustainability Team and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy to the NRC Staff Answer to Petition for Intervention and the Applicant’s Answer Opposing Petition to Intervene, Both Dated July 1, 2008”. The Tennessee Valley Authority hereby files this motion to strike. Read TVA Motion to Strike

July 9, 2008: Memorandum and Order - (Initial Prehearing Conference Schedule; Schedule for Additional Briefing Regarding Timeliness Issue; Opportunity for Written Limited Appearance Statements) The participants are advised of the following information regarding the schedule for the initial prehearing conference in this proceeding:
Starting Date: Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Starting Time: 9:00 a.m. Central Time, 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET)
Location: Scottsboro Goosepond Civic Center, 1165 Ed Hembree Drive, Scottsboro, Alabama
Read NRC Memorandum and Order

July 1, 2008: The staff of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission hereby answers the “Petition for Intervention and Request for Hearing” (Petition) filed on June 6, 2008 by the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League and its chapter Bellefonte Efficiency and Sustainability Team and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. Read NRC's Answer

July 1, 2008: Applicant's answer opposing petition to intervene - The Tennessee Valley Authority (“Applicant”) hereby files its Answer to “Petition for Intervention and Request for Hearing by the Bellefonte Efficiency and Sustainability Team, the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (“Petition”) and “Supplement to Petition of June 6, 2008 Providing Alphanumeric Designation of Contentions” (“Supplemental Petition”), dated June 26, 2008 concerning TVA’s application for combined licenses (“COLs”) for two AP1000 pressurized water reactors at the Bellefonte site in Jackson County, Alabama. Read TVA's Answer

BREDL sends complaint to NRC Licensing Board regarding the North Anna nuclear power station licensing process

July 1, 2008: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is holding oral arguments for the nation's first adjudicatory hearing on a nuclear power plant construction and operating license behind closed doors. The nuclear plant is the proposed North Anna Nuclear Power Station Unit #3 in Virginia. Despite our request for a face-to-face hearing in Charlottesville, the judges are holding the oral arguments via telephone conference call. The judges' decision has implications for the licenses to follow in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and nationwide because this is the first permitting process for new nuclear power plant license since the rules were re-written in 1989. We think it sets a bad precedent. In the past, such hearings were held near the community where a proposed facility was to be located, at a place where residents, officials and the media could attend. Read BREDL's Complaint

June 2008

BREDL files appeal to stop Duke Energy in South Carolina - The granting of a license to Duke Energy Carolinas would permit the company to construct and operate two nuclear reactors on the Broad River near Gaffney, South Carolina. Nuclear reactors here would endanger over a 2.3 million people in two states living within 50 miles of the plant including Spartanburg, Greenville, Newberry and Rock Hill in SC and Marion, Morganton, Hickory and Charlotte in NC. Download June 27 BREDL Petition

Help Stop Nuclear Power in South Carolina!
Do You Live 50 miles from Gaffney, SC?

On December 13, 2007 Duke Energy applied to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a license to build and operate two nuclear plants on the Broad River near Gaffney, South Carolina. The application is for two Westinghouse AP1000 Pressurized Water Reactors designated William States Lee III Nuclear Station Units 1 & 2. The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League is challenging this permit for health, safety and economic reasons. If you are within the 50-mile zone, you may join in this effort.

Deadline: June 27, 2008

Gaffney 50-mile map and factsheet | Declaration of Standing
FAQs about Legal Declaration of Standing | BREDL Membership Form

June 6, 2008: Groups file petition for intervention and request for hearing before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission regarding proposed TVA Bellefonte Nuclear Power Plant Units 3 and 4. The petition is on behalf of the Bellefonte Efficiency and Sustainability Team, the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. Read the Petition

May 2008

May 16, 2008: BREDL scoping comments on EIS for third nuclear reactor at the North Anna nuclear power plant. BREDL Comments

May 2008: The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League and its Virginia chapter the People’s Alliance for Clean Energy have filed to halt construction of a third nuclear reactor at the North Anna nuclear power plant. The petition raises eight major issues: Dominion lacks a realistic radioactive waste plan, Unit 3 would be located on top of a geological fault, the plant’s cooling system will violate water quality standards, the plant will not adequately limit radioactive emissions to the atmosphere, uranium is an unreliable fuel source, the license would violate the protections of due process and equal protection, irradiated fuel would remain on site, and the plant would be a target for terrorist attacks.

Lou Zeller, the League’s legal representative, said that Dominion covered up evidence of a geologic fault in the 1970’s and now they want a variance because they cannot meet safety standards. Zeller said, “Fool us once, shame on you; fool us twice, shame on us.”

The League plans to press the seismic issue and other safety and environmental problems created by the proposed third reactor.

Elena Day of PACE said, “New nuclear reactors at North Anna would be irresponsible because the water situation is critical. The growing population in this area and the ongoing drought will only exacerbate the situation.”

The petition to intervene was filed on May 9th with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Read the Petition | Read Press Release

Help Stop Nuclear Power in Virginia!
Do You Live 50 miles from the North Anna Nuclear Plant?

Dominion-Virginia Power has submitted an application to add a third nuclear power plant at its North Anna Nuclear Station in northern Virginia. The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League is challenging this permit for health and safety reasons. If you are within the 50-mile zone, you may join in this effort.

Deadline: May 9, 2008

North Anna 50-mile map and factsheet | Declaration of Standing
FAQs about Legal Declaration of Standing | BREDL Membership Form

May 2008 Factsheet: New Nuclear Power Plants in South Carolina? - Duke Energy has applied to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a license to build and operate two nuclear plants on the Broad River near Gaffney, South Carolina. The deadline for comments on environmental impacts of a nuclear power plant on this area’s air, water, and public health is May 20, 2008.

April 2008

League files Motion for Delayed Deadline in North Anna nuclear license

On April 28, 2008 the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League filed a legal motion with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to postpone deadlines for the North Anna Power Station construction and operation license. Dominion Virginia Power plans to add a third nuclear reactor at its plant in central Virginia.

Unless a new deadline is granted, the public will have had only three weeks to review the necessary documents to intervene in the licensing process.

Federal administrative procedures require that the time be no less than 60 days. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is ignoring its stated goal of providing "ample opportunities for members of the public." We know that there are fundamental safety questions which must be addressed. A previous Atomic Safety and Licensing Board decision on North Anna said these safety issues are "unresolved." The public needs time to investigate. For these and other reasons, Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League filed this motion.

Read April 28 Legal Motion

April 3, 2008: Bellefonte Nuclear Opponents Speak Out At Hearing - Read BEST Press Release and see photos

BREDL Files Supplemental Motion to Suspend License Process at TVA's Bellefonte Nuclear Plant
Action supports Bellefonte Efficiency & Sustainability Team

April 2, 2008: Recently, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission stated that is unable to go forward with a key portion of the safety and environmental review required for Tennessee Valley Authority's Bellefonte nuclear power plant license. An inspection by NRC found three violations which TVA must address. Critical information lacking includes data on surface water flow and earthquakes. However, the NRC has not halted the process for approving TVA's license. Therefore, on April 2, 2008 we filed a motion asking NRC to either suspend the hearing process or delay the deadline for the public to intervene.

We believe it would be fundamentally unfair for the NRC to require interested citizens and public interest organizations to review and comment on an incomplete document, an application to build and operate the first nuclear power plant in the 21st Century. On February 29th, Louise Gorenflo of the Bellefonte Efficiency & Sustanability Team, a chapter of BREDL, filed a similar request based on other omissions in the TVA's application. Supplemental Motion

March 2008

March 2008: BREDL Chapter Bellefonte Efficiency & Sustainability Team (BEST) fact sheet:
No to Bellefonte Nuclear Units, Yes to Energy Efficiency and Renewables

February 2008

Feb. 29, 2008: BREDL Chapter Bellefonte Efficiency & Sustainability Team (BEST) letter to NRC requesting a suspension of the notice of hearing regarding new nuclear power plants at Bellefonte.

Feb. 15, 2008: BREDL requests Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors to abandon its ongoing effort to open a new nuclear power station at the Bellefonte site in Jackson County, Alabama.
View BREDL's Comments: Janet Marsh's comments | Lou Zeller's comments

The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League released a study in March 2007 which shows that harmful levels of air pollution from the Savannah River Site are reaching nearby communities. The group published its results in a report titled Sow The Wind: Toxic Air Pollution from the Savannah River Site.
More Details and Download the Report (posted online: Feb. 23, 2008)

January 2008

Jan. 2, 2008: On Friday, December 28th, the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League filed a petition against the Virginia's approval of a water permit for the North Anna nuclear power station (NAPS) located near Charlottesville.

The League's petition states: The Board's re-issuance of this Permit was in violation of Virginia's State Water Control Law, the federal Clean Water Act, and the Virginia Pollution Discharge Elimination System, as well as other laws and regulations governing water quality. Specifically, state and federal laws and regulations require regulation of and limitations on thermal pollution discharges into Virginia's waters. There was ample evidence presented to the Board and DEQ as contained in the record which demonstrated that thermal pollution discharges from NAPS into Lake Anna are causing and contributing serious harm to the lake and to Virginia citizens' use and enjoyment of that natural resource. Despite the mandate under state and federal law and the record evidence of the thermal pollution problem in Lake Anna from NAPS, this Permit contains virtually no limits at all on thermal pollution. For the reasons stated in this Petition for Appeal, BREDL asks this Court to suspend and set aside the Permit and to remand the Permit to the Board and DEQ for further proceedings consistent and in compliance with federal and state water laws and regulations.
BREDL Press Release | View Appeal

December 2007

BREDL's Comments on Draft EIS for Vogtle Nuclear Power Plant - Dec. 28, 2007: Major problems we identified in the Plant Vogtle draft Environmental Impact Statement:
1) It dismisses the mounting evidence of negative impacts on the health of people living around nuclear plants;
2) The assessment of radiological releases to the public is fatally flawed; and
3) Radionuclide emissions data indicates harm to public.

The public record contains evidence that Vogtle has not and will not meet the requirements under federal law 10 CFR § 100.21 (c)(1). Test results for Vogtle indicate the existing nuclear power plant is the source of a variety of radionuclides which contaminate sediment, river water, fish and drinking water. There is an increase in negative health impacts in proximity to and contemporaneous with Plant Vogtle operations. Southern Nuclear Operating Company seeks to add two new nuclear reactors to the two already in operation at its Plant Vogtle power station near Waynesboro, Georgia. The company submitted an application for an early site permit in 2006.

View BREDL's Comments

Dec. 5, 2007: Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League and the People’s Alliance for Clean Energy have filed a Notice of Appeal to Virginia Department of Environmental Quality regarding reissuance of VPDES (Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) Permit for Dominion-North Anna Power Station. BREDL Press Release | Notice of Appeal

November 2007

Nov. 6, 2007: Read U.S. Dept. of Energy Document - Chemical and Radiochemical Composition of Thermally Stabilized Plutonium Oxide from the Plutonium Finishing Plant Considered as Alternate Feedstock for the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility, JM Tingey and SA Jones, July 2005, Prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract DE-AC05-76RL01830

Nov. 7, 2007: BREDL and Nuclear Watch South file intervenors' response.

October 2007

BREDL and Nuclear Watch South File New Contention.

Oct. 9, 2007: Today two organizations announced the filing of a legal challenge that could stop the construction of a plutonium fuel factory at the Savannah River Site. Nuclear Watch South and the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League uncovered information that the US Department of Energy plans major modifications to the proposed plutonium fuel factory. Read Press Release

Oct. 5, 2007 - In 2002 the US Department of Energy discontinued its vitrification and immobilization plans for surplus plutonium; on September 5, 2007, the agency issued an Amended Record of Decision which said, "[e]liminating the mission for the Plutonium Vitrification process would result in the MFFF and H-Canyon processing additional plutonium, therefore requiring some modifications to both facilities." Such modification of the plutonium fuel factory (MFFF) was not requested or granted during the construction license process nor is it covered by the proposed operating license. This failure forms the basis for our latest challenge.

Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League's and Nuclear Watch South's Late Filed Contention Regarding Need to Supplement EIS for Proposed MOX Plutonium Processing Facility

August 2007

August 30, 2007: Is Nuclear Power Right for Cherokee County? (Duke Power has selected a site in Cherokee County, near Gaffney, SC)

Aug. 02, 2007: BREDL comments to Virginia Department of Environmental Quality on the NPDES permit for North Anna nuclear power station. Excerpt: "Unless and until the DEQ can assure that thermal discharges from Dominion-Virginia Power’s North Anna plant will not exceed the maximum hourly temperature changes in Lake Anna, it cannot issue a VPDES permit." Read Lou Zeller's Comments

June 2007

BREDL, Nuclear Watch South, and NIRS have responded to the NRC Staff and Shaw Areva MOX Services June 11 responses.

June 27, 2007 - The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL), Nuclear Watch South, and Nuclear Information & Resource Service (NIRS) have responded to the June 11, 2007 NRC Staff and Shaw Areva MOX Services responses to the Groups' Petition for Intervention and Request for Hearing filed on May 14, 2007.

June 27 Reply to Responses and Request for Hearing

The Groups' June 27 Reply contains five contentions and a request for a hearing. The contentions include:
- Failure to limit emissions of hazardous air pollutants
- Accidental Release of Radionuclides
- Extended Onsite Storage of Radioactive Waste Not Addressed in EIS or License Application
- Failure to Address Impact of Terrorist Attacks on Plutonium Fuel Facility and Transport

May 2007

NEW REPORT PUTS CHARLOTTE AT THE NUCLEAR CROSSROADS

May 22, 2007 At a press conference on the North Carolina-South Carolina line, citizens’ groups from two states released a new report which details the dangers of high-level nuclear waste shipments under the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership program. Author John Sticpewich of Commonsense at the Nuclear crossroads used the Department of Energy’s routing criteria to produce the maps and tables in More Than A TAD: A Study of the Problems With the Transport and Reprocessing of Nuclear Waste in the Carolinas. The report lists nuclear power plants in 17 states from which nuclear waste shipments would pass en route to Savannah River, a potential GNEP site. For example, from 2,146 to 4,498 shipments would likely pass through the Charlotte-Rock Hill area on Interstate 77. DOE has already held public hearings on their plans for centralized storage and reprocessing.

Photos and Statements from representatives of organizations - BREDL May 22, 2007 press conference on dangers and risks regarding transportation of high level nuclear waste across Carolinas

BREDL, Nuclear Watch South, and NIRS have filed a petition to intervene in the licensing of proposed Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility

On May 14, 2007 the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, along with Nuclear Watch South and Nuclear Information & Resource Service, filed a petition to intervene in the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's license proceeding for a plutonium fuel factory at the Department of Energy's Savannah River Site in South Carolina. We have opposed this technology since 1997 and remain steadfast in our opposition to nuclear reprocessing.

The US Department of Energy's Surplus Plutonium Disposition Program plans to convert approximately 37 tons of weapons-grade plutonium into fuel for commercial nuclear power plants operated by Duke Energy. The plan is to mix the plutonium with depleted uranium. The $4 billion facility would include 1) a plutonium fuel factory, 2) a facility to convert plutonium from a metallic form to plutonium dioxide powder, and 3) nuclear waste facilities.

Petition for Intervention and Request for Hearing

Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility
How You Can Help

May 2, 2007: The Department of Energy plans to build a factory near Aiken, SC to convert weapons-grade plutonium into fuel for nuclear power plants. The mixed oxide fabrication facility (MFFF) would be built at the Savannah River Site, the nuclear reactors are located near Charlotte and Rock Hill. BREDL and other groups oppose this experimental project. If you live within 50 miles of the Savannah River Site, you would be affected. You can help stop this threat to public health by signing the enclosed Declaration and mailing it to us before May 14, 2007.

How you can help and 50-mile radius map
Declaration of Standing (sign and mail to us before May 14, 2007)
MFFF Fact Sheet

April 2007

April 20, 2007: BREDL comments regarding Public Health Assessment, Evaluation of Off-site Groundwater and Surface Water Contamination at the Savannah River Site (USDOE) Aiken, SC. - The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has disregarded major pathways for hazardous and radioactive substances from the US Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site, improperly narrowed the focus of its investigation to groundwater and surface water impacts at SRS, and abrogated its responsibility to take responsive action by shifting from itself the burden of protecting infants under the age of one year.

April 19, 2007: BREDL Limited appearance statements before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in the matter of the Dominion Nuclear North Anna, LLC Early Site Permit. - The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Unless must assess the impact of terrorist attacks on radioactive fuel storage at Dominion-Virginia Power's North Anna nuclear power plant and provide for protective measures. Recent decisions by the US Court of Appeals and the US Supreme Court hold that environmental impact statements for nuclear facilities should explicitly address potential environmental consequences of intentional destructive acts; that is, acts of sabotage and terrorism.

November 2006

The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League opposes DOE’s plan, called Complex 2030, which calls for a new generation of nuclear weapons production, for which we believe the Savannah River Site is at great risk.  Complex 2030, developed by the National Nuclear Security Administration, is a proposal to construct new facilities to manufacture plutonium warheads, to conduct nuclear weapons research and development, and to store nuclear materials.  On October 19, 2006 the US Department of Energy published the Notice of Intent to Prepare a Supplement to the Stockpile Stewardship Management Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement—Complex 2030 (Federal Register vol. 71, no. 202, page 61731).  The first public meeting on Complex 2030 was held on November 9th in North Augusta, South Carolina, near the Savannah River Site bomb plant.  Further meetings are being held near atomic weapons sites in Tennessee, Texas, Nevada, New Mexico and California with a final hearing in Washington, DC on December 14, 2006.  The written public comment period extends through January 17, 2007.

Our ultimate goal is to change completely the mission of the United States Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site from military to peaceful pursuits.  We are dedicated to ending the toxic and radioactive pollution of the soil, water and air of SRS by achieving a true cleanup of more than five decades of bomb plant contamination.  

Nov. 9, 2006: BREDL Press Release

Nov. 22, 2002: BREDL Press Release | BREDL releases Don Moniak report: ""Does America Need A New Atomic Bomb Plant?: A Preliminary Review of DOE's Plans to Restore Large-Scale Plutonium Pit Production"

October 2006

October 31, 2006: Help Stop Nuclear Power in Georgia - Southern Nuclear Company of Georgia wants to build additional nuclear power plants near Waynesboro. This would increase the negative health impacts on nearby residents and increase the cost of electric power. The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League is joining with other groups who oppose this expansion. Will you help us?
How you can help | 40 mile radius map (1MB)
Declaration of Standing
Legal Declaration/Standing Q&A Fact Sheet

July 2006

July 25, 2006: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has posted a national forecast of new nuclear reactor licensing activities for 2006 - 2008. The NRC issues updates on nuclear power reactor licensing issues every six months. These reports are available on their website at http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-licensing/related-documents.html

April 2006

April 2006: The Safe Energy Campaign Factsheet - On March 16, 2006 Duke Power Co. and Southern Co. announced that they had picked a site in South Carolina for a new nuclear power plant. Also, the power companies announced plans to seek early site permits for additional nuclear reactors at Oconee, SC and at a new site near Winston-Salem, NC.

March 2006

March 16, 2006: Nuclear Power Licensing Factsheet - One-Step Licensing of Nuclear Plants Short-circuits Safety

October 2005

Oct. 25, 2005: Problems with Dominion Nuclear North Anna's Early Site Permit and the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act | Read BREDL's Oct. 25 letter to Virginia DEQ | View Map Attachment to letter Dominion-Virginia Power is attempting to mischaracterize the permit in an attempt to limit the scope of the state's required coastal zone review. Dominion states that the existing power plant and the proposed nuclear site permit (ESP-Early Site Permit) are not located within Virginia’s Coastal Zone. However, North Anna Power Station is, indeed, within the Virginia coastal zone which includes Spotsylvania County‘s portion of Lake Anna. Dominion downplays the permit's impacts. But activity permitted by the ESP would include major construction including clearing and grading for roads; construction of warehouses, utilities and concrete mixing plants; excavations for facility structures; sewage treatment plants; and intake and discharge structures, water lines, and cooling towers. Finally, Dominion’s certification is inconsistent with the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires consideration of cumulative impacts and connected actions. The ESP permit and the pending Combined License are “connected” actions as defined in the Council on Environmental Quality regulations at 40 CFR 1508.7.

September 2005

Sept. 01, 2005: Read BREDL letter to Nuclear Regulatory Commission On February 17, 2005 at a Nuclear Regulatory Commission public hearing, a man who identified himself as an employee of Dominion-Virginia Power falsely accused the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League of misusing public health data. His allegations not only have no basis in fact, they do nothing to alter our conclusion that deaths increased significantly after Dominion's nuclear reactors began operation. In this letter the League demonstrates why the allegations are false and asks the NRC for further investigations into death and disease in the communities around the North Anna nuclear power station.

August 2005

August 30, 2005: BREDL Report on 2005 Southern Energy & Environment Expo, which was held at the Western NC Agricultural Center in Fletcher on August 26-28. The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League participated with an information booth, two workshops, and a parking lot-sized educational display. The League’s focus this year was nuclear power and nuclear waste transportation.

Factsheet: New Nuclear Plant Sites on the Yadkin River, NC? (posted 8/24/05)

July 2005

July 26, 2005: Read BREDL July 26, 2005 letter to Jean Sulc, Chair, Savannah River Site Citizens Advisory Board. Today citizens called upon the Savannah River Site Citizens Advisory Board to use its powers to bring an end to a pattern of delays and waste at the old weapons plant near Aiken, SC. Citing audits by the Department of Energy’s Inspector General, the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League detailed a ten year environmental cleanup gone wrong and tens of millions of tax dollars wasted.

July 12, 2005: Read BREDL July 12, 2005 letter to Robert Meisenheimer, WM Committee Chair, Savannah River Site Citizens Advisory Board. | On March 29th, the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League informed the Savannah River Site Citizens Advisory Board that we believe that the Department of Energy provided falsified data to Congress, information which affected federal legislation for the ongoing clean up of atomic weapons waste at SRS. On May 23rd the League presented supporting data to the CAB. Subsequently, we were invited to present this information to the CAB's Waste Management Committee. On July 12th, we made four recommendations.

May 2005

May 23, 2005: On behalf of the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, I request to present the information requested by members of the SRS Citizens Advisory Board at the last meeting. As you may recall, on March 28th I provided federal budget documents which revealed that the $16 billion in savings promised during passage of Section 3116 of the 2005 Defense Authorization for clean up of high-level radioactive waste tanks was not evident. Further, I said, “We at BREDL are convinced that the DOE provided falsified data to gain an exemption so it could add cement to the waste, leave it underground, and reduce costs.” Some CAB members took issue with this statement and I am here today to provide documents which will demonstrate the accuracy of our contention. - Lou Zeller, BREDL | BREDL May 23 statement to SRS CAB

May 9, 2005: Prevent the Reprocessing of Military Plutonium Wastes into Fuel. Statement to the Review Conference of the Parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Delivered May 11, 2005 at the United Nations in New York. Excerpt:

April 2005

April 7, 2005: GROUPS CALL ON GOVERNOR TO DEMAND TERRORISM SAFEGUARDS - Today at a press conference in Columbia, citizens groups called on Governor Mark Sanford to halt the impending plutonium fuel shipments through South Carolina and to demand terrorism safeguards at the Catawba nuclear station.
BREDL Press Release | Letter to SC Governor Mark Sanford

March 2005

Mar. 28, 2005: Citizens Groups Advise SRS Citizens Advisory Board - Sunshine Campaign Will Allow Public To Have Say - Today at a press conference in North Augusta, grassroots citizens groups announced a “Sunshine Campaign” to open up the process of communication between the Department of Energy, the SRS Citizens Advisory Board and the general public.
BREDL Press Release | BREDL Statement to the Savannah River Site Citizens Advisory Board

March 09, 2005: BREDL Press Release: BREDL CHALLENGES DUKE’S PLUTONIUM LICENSE - Today the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League filed a petition before the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to revoke the license amendment issued by the staff of the NRC to Duke Energy Corporation for plutonium fuel tests. BREDL Petition | Cover Letter | Exhibit 1 | NRC Original Order

March 01, 2005: BREDL comments on Draft Environmental Impact Statement for North Anna Early Site Permit (.pdf)

February 2005

Feb. 17, 2005 Rally and NRC Public Hearing: Action Alert and more details. RALLY AGAINST NEW LICENSING for NUKES at NORTH ANNA, Thursday, February 17, 2005, 6:00 pm, Louisa County Middle School, 1009 Davis Highway, Mineral, VA. This rally precedes the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) hearing scheduled for 7:00 pm concerning a site permit for two new reactors at North Anna nuclear power station in Louisa County in Central VA.

Feb. 10, 2005: Report by BREDL staffer Charles Utley regarding the Savannah River Site Health Effects Subcommittee meeting of January 25th. It is a good overview of the dose reconstruction issue caused by activities at the bomb plant.

December 2004

Dec. 15, 2004: BREDL letter to NRC Chairman Nils Diaz regarding NRC Predecisional Enforcement Conference with Duke Energy.

November 2004

Nov. 30, 2004: BREDL Report on Savannah River Site Citizens Advisory Board Meeting of November 15-16, 2004, which was held in Augusta, GA. (includes dates for upcoming 2005 meetings - Next meeting is scheduled for January 24-25, 2005 at Hilton Head Island, SC)

Nov. 3, 2004: Project: Environmental Pollution at Savannah River Weapons Site | Date of Project: September 4— 11, 2004 | Host organizations: Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, ISAR Open World Russia Civic Program | Administered by: Open World Leadership Center at the Library of Congress. Associated documents: Risk-Based End States at SRS factsheet: Radioactive Pollution gets a Facelift. English Version , Russian Version | Combat Air Pollution with Bucket Brigades factsheet. English Version , Russian Version (documents posted 11/04/04)

October 2004

June 2004

June 26, 2004: North Anna information slides in .pdf. (First new reactors in 25 years, Facts about North Anna, What's wrong with nuclear power and proposed expansion?, Timeline for expansion) (.pdf)

June 8, 2004 (posted online): May 28, 2004 Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Atomic Safety & Licensing Board (ASLB) Memorandum and Order regarding BREDL arguments on security measures at the Catawba Nuclear Reactor and the proposed plutonium fuel test. The ASLB wrote: "The original version of this Memorandum and Order was issued on April 12, 2004, and was sealed as Safeguards Information. This document is a redacted version of the original." Redactions are blacked out sections of the document, removed by the NRC. BREDL objects to some of these omissions; we will raise our objections before the ASLB judges. (.pdf - 3.95 MB)

June 3, 2004 (posted online): Map of High-Level Radioactive Wastes and Aquifers in the Southeast featuring Savannah River Site (.pdf)

June 3, 2004 (posted online): Map of Drinking Water information featuring Savannah River Site (.pdf)

May 2004

May 27, 2004: BREDL comments on Draft Site-wide Environmental Impact Statement for Continued Operation of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California and Supplemental Stockpile Stewardship and Management Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, February 2004

May 17, 2004: BREDL comments to EPA regarding deregulation of low-level radioactive wastes. BREDL recommends that the EPA withdraw its Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Low-Activity Radioactive Waste; furthermore, we recommend that EPA undertake no non-regulatory actions which would have the effect of de-regulating radioactive wastes.

May 03, 2004: BREDL, NIRS, Public Citizen contentions filed before the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board regarding Early Site Permit application for North Anna Nuclear Power Plant site, Louisa County, VA (.pdf)

April 2004

April 27, 2004: Read Press Release and Lou Zeller Statement - Citizens Charge US With Nuclear Treaty Violation : Today at a press conference at the United Nations, the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League charged the United States with violation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and called for international inspections of weapons facilities in South Carolina.

April 26, 2004: People’s Resolution for United States Adherence to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty - The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty has successfully limited the number of new states armed with nuclear weapons, but for decades the states which already possess nuclear weapons have continually avoided their obligation to eliminate them. Next year the United States of America proposes to spend $6.57 billion for nuclear weapons research and development. Also, the United States plans to construct a new nuclear bomb plant to produce 450 new atomic weapons per year. We submit that the United States is now the principal violator of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Therefore, we press for full implementation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and to bring an end to the nuclear arms race. We bring this People’s Resolution to the attention of all delegations attending the Preparatory Committee Meeting of the States Party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty at the United Nations in New York on April 26 - May 7, 2004. Read or sign onto the resolution

April 9, 2004: Pictures taken at the March 25, 2004 rallies in Louisa County and Charlottesville, Virginia which were held in support of the BE SAFE Anti-nuclear Days of Action. PACE, People's Alliance for Clean Energy, organized the events with help from the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Three Mile Island nuclear meltdown and to prevent new nuclear plants from being constructed by Dominion Virginia Power on Lake Anna. View Pictures

March 2004

March 25, 2004: Read Press Advisory - PACE, a BREDL chapter, Anti-Nuclear Day of Action: Commemorating Three Mile Island to be held in Charlottesville, VA (includes a Talk by Lois Gibbs, BREDL mock nuclear cask)

March 24, 2004: Factsheet: Three Mile Island 25 years later, TMI facts - Three Mile Island VA ? (.pdf)

March 24, 2004: Factsheet: Nuclear Waste transport to Nevada? - Don't Bet the Farm on it (.pdf)

March 8, 2004: BREDL’s Lawsuit Against Duke’s Plutonium Fuel Tests Wins Full Hearing. In a ruling by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, the three-judge panel agreed to hear three specific objections to the experimental project. Read Press Release | Read NRC Atomic Safety and Licensing Board ruling (.pdf)

February 2004

Feb. 27, 2004: Factsheet: North Anna - New Nuclear Power Plants in Virginia? (.pdf)

February 19, 2004: Post-9/11 Terrorism Measures Not Applicable to Duke’s Plutonium Fuel | NRC Chooses Secrecy Over Security: Yesterday, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced that confidential NRC upgrades to the security requirements for nuclear power plants and plutonium processing facilities, imposed after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, have “nothing to do” with a proposed license amendment that would allow Duke Energy Corporation to use bomb-grade plutonium at the Catawba nuclear power plant. Read Press Release

January 2004

Jan. 26, 2004: BREDL, NIRS, Public Citizen Opposition to Dominion Nuclear's Application for new Adjudicatory Process filed before NRC (.pdf)

Jan. 02, 2004: BREDL, NIRS, Public Citizen Hearing Request and Petition to Intervene filed before NRC (.pdf)

Jan.14, 2004: On Thursday, January 15^th, representatives of the southeastern regional Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League will argue against plutonium fuel testing at Duke Energy’s Catawba nuclear plant at a second hearing before the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Read Press Advisory

Jan. 12, 2004: Plutonium Fuel Factsheet (in .pdf)

December 2003

Dec. 03, 2003: BREDL's second supplemental petition before the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board to intervene to set forth contentions. (in .pdf) | Dr. Edwin Lyman's Declaration in support of BREDL contentions.(in .pdf)

Dec. 02, 2003: On Wednesday, December 3^rd, representatives of the southeastern regional Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League will argue against plutonium fuel testing at Duke Energy’s Catawba nuclear plant at an ajudicatory hearing before the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Read Press Advisory

November 2003

Nov. 04, 2003: BREDL petitions the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for review of LBP-03-17, in which the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (“ASLB”) rejected BREDL’s Amended Contention 2. (in .pdf)

October 2003

Oct. 24, 2003: BREDL requests a new supplemental EIS for surplus plutonium disposition by DOE based on weaknesses at Catawba and McGuire and the international shipping of plutonium questions. Shipping is now required because the test fuel rods will not be manufactured in the USA as originally proposed but in France. (in .pdf)

Oct. 21, 2003: BREDL submits supplemental petition in Duke Energy Catawba Nuclear Power Plant license amendment proposing use of mixed oxide Lead Test Assemblies. Duke Energy has requested NRC grant permission to test plutonium rod assemblies at the Catawba plant. (in .pdf)

August 2003

Aug. 25, 2003: BREDL requests a hearing and petitions to intervene in Duke Energy McGuire and Catawba Nuclear Power Plant license amendments proposing use of mixed oxide Lead Test Assemblies. (in .pdf)

Aug. 2, 2003: Photos of the HMS GW Strangelove, which won for "best sculpture"and the People's Choice Award on Saturday, August 2, at the 2003 Catawba River Romp Kinetic Eco-Race in NC. BREDL's David Mickey piloted the craft and BREDL member Mischi Binkley created it. 

JUNE 2003

June 3, 2003: G-8 FAILS TO FUND PLUTONIUM FUEL
INTERNATIONAL ANTI-PLUTONIUM CAMPAIGNERS ARRESTED IN RUSSIA
Today at a press conference in Augusta, Georgia, the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League announced that the international campaign to stop plutonium fuel has succeeded in delaying funding but at the cost of an erosion of civil rights. Read BREDL Press Release | May 30, 2003: Letter to Heads of State of the Group of Eight Nations from Non-governmental Organizations opposing Plutonium Fuel | On May 27, 2003, twelve Russian activists were arrested near the Ministry of atomic power in Moscow for speaking out in opposition to plutonium fuel (MOX)

MAY 2003

May 14, 2003: BREDL additional comments on Savannah River Site Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility Draft Environmental Impact Statement. (in .pdf) (posted online June 15, 2003)

APRIL 2003

April 11, 2003: BREDL & NIRS request the Atomic Safety & Licensing Board to reinstate NIRS contention regarding environmental impacts of MOX fuel use. (in .pdf)

DECEMBER 2002

Dec. 06, 2002: BREDL additional comments, including letter from Dr. Peter Rickards on the unreliability of HEPA filters to control radionuclide emissions, on the draft Title V permit for Savannah River Site. (in .pdf)

NOVEMBER 2002

Nov. 22, 2002: BREDL Press Release | BREDL releases Don Moniak report: "Does America Need A New Atomic Bomb Plant?: A Preliminary Review of DOE's Plans to Restore Large-Scale Plutonium Pit Production" (in .pdf)

Nov. 21, 2002: BREDL additional comments on the draft Title V permit for the Savannah River Site. (in .pdf) | BREDL flyer for Nov. 21, 2002 hearing (in .pdf)

OCTOBER 2002

Oct. 29, 2002: BREDL comments on Supplement to the Programmatic EIS on SSM for a Modern Pit Facility at Savannah River Site. | Excerpts from the testimony of Rev. Charles Utley, BREDL staff and President of the Hyde and Aragon Park Neighborhood Improvement Association at the DOE/NNSA Scoping Hearing on Modern Pit Facility held in North Augusta, SC on October 29, 2002.(posted 11/12/02)

Oct. 29, 2002: U.S. Dept. of Energy Public Hearing on Supplemental PEIS re: Pit Facility at SRS. Hearing is scheduled to begin at 6 pm in North Augusta, SC. BREDL Factsheet with more details (in .pdf)

Oct. 12, 2002: New BREDL factsheet on Savannah River Site (in .pdf)

SEPTEMBER 2002

Sept. 17, 2002: BREDL comments on Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility Environmental Report. (in .pdf) | Sept. 30, 2002: BREDL additional comments on Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility Environmental Report. (in .pdf) | COGEMA file attachment for comments (in .pdf), courtesy of our friends at The Safe Energy Communication Council

ALERT: Plutonium Fuel Factory Public Meetings: Sept. 17, 2002 - North Augusta, SC; Sept 18, 2002 - Savannah, GA; Sept. 19, 2002 - Charlotte, NC.
BREDL factsheet and details for upcoming NRC plutonium fuel factory meetings. (in.pdf)

Sept. 6, 2002: BREDL submits NRC "Down the Rabbit- Hole" brief regarding license renewal at Duke Energy's Catawba and McGuire nuclear power stations.(in.pdf)

AUGUST 2002

Aug. 12, 2002: Citizens for the Preservation of Valley Beautiful Press Release - Proposal to rezone called ploy to allow nuclear plant in Eastern Tennessee

BREDL info on nuclear issues in Eastern Tennessee

Aug. 8, 2002: BREDL requests hearing on license amendment for Nuclear Fuel Services (NFS) license for special nuclear materials, SNM— 124, which would authorize construction and operation of a uranyl nitrate storage building.

JULY 2002

July 29, 2002: BREDL Comments on a proposed rule to revise NRC's Part 71 Packaging and Transportation of Radioactive Waste, and DOT's 49 CFR 171 et. al. Hazardous Materials Regulations

July 2, 2002: Sample HLNW Ordinance to prohibit transportation in your community | Letter to Florida Governor regarding Yucca Mountain | Please join the Powerless Hour - begins July 7!

JUNE 2002

June 19, 2002 - June 28, 2002: Nuclear Waste Roadshow heads to Florida. Read Press Advisories and Press Releases (updated throughout the Florida Roadshow)

June 11, 2002: BREDL has released a report which reveals that the US DOE's plutonium fuel testing program would require tens of thousands of miles of national and international shipments. BREDL Press Release and Report

MAY 2002

May 30, 2002: On Thursday, May 30^th the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League will launch its regional campaign opposing nuclear waste transports from nuclear power plants in North Carolina and South Carolina to Nevada. See Press Release and Press Advisory for details and locations - updated throughout the Roadshow | Please see the BREDL Southeastern HLNW Roadshow page for pictures, reports, letters, and links.

May 31, 2002: BREDL letter to NC Governor Easley regarding Yucca Mountain

May 30, 2002: Lou Zeller's report - High Level Nuclear Waste Shipments: Radioactive and Deadly (in .pdf)

APRIL 2002

April 24, 2002: High-level Nuclear Waste Transport Fact Sheets for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia , Tennessee, and Virginia.

Duke Energy shareholders will meet in Charlotte on April 25, 2002 to vote on a resolution on Nuclear Risk and Responsibility. UPDATE: On April 25, 2002 in Charlotte, the majority of Duke Shareholders voted against "Proposal 7 – Nuclear Program Study". However, since 10.52 percent voted for the proposal, the resolution should have another vote next year. Shareholders who support an open review of nuclear power were and are encouraged to vote "for" the proposal.

MARCH 2002

March 22, 2002: BREDL reply to DUKE & NRC Briefs in response to Feb. 27, 2002 BREDL Brief in response to NRC Memo & Order CLI-02-06. (.pdf)

FEBRUARY 2002

Feb. 27, 2002: BREDL response to NRC Memorandum and Order CLI-02-04 regarding Savannah River Site Fuel Fabrication Facility. (.pdf)

Feb. 27, 2002: BREDL response to NRC Memorandum and Order CLI-02-06 regarding security and NEPA. (.pdf)

Feb. 27, 2002: Nuclear Cask Safety - an excerpt from a North American and Prairie Island Coalition report compiled by George Crocker of Prairie Island Coalition. (.pdf)

Feb. 23, 2002: Duke Energy stockholder requests SEC and Duke Energy to address nuclear risk and responsibility. The shareholders request the Board of Directors to conduct an open comprehensive study, utilizing independent public resources, oversight, and participation (but excluding proprietary and confidential information), defining Duke Energy's risk of, and potential responsibility for, causing public harm due to the company's continued participation in nuclear energy programs, and to prepare, at reasonable expense, a report for the next annual shareholders' meeting in 2003. Duke Energy does not want to include this resolution. The SEC should make a decision soon. Read stockholder resolution and SEC letter.

Feb. 14, 2002: BREDL expresses thanks to all who participated in the Nuclear Insecurity Conference | Pictures from the conference | Read Keynote Address delivered by NCI's Paul Leventhal.

JANUARY 2002

Jan. 31, 2002: NRC Atomic Safety & Licensing Board grants NIRS and BREDL a hearing on the license renewal of Duke Energy's McGuire and Catawba Nuclear Power Plants. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission's judges had never before granted such a hearing in a license renewal case. Hearing date to be announced later. Read NRC notification (.pdf)

Nuclear Insecurity Conference to be held Feb. 8 & 9, 2002 in Charlotte, NC - Details and Registration info.

NOVEMBER 2001

Nov. 29, 2001: Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League submittal of contentions in the matter of the renewal of licenses for Duke Energy Corporation (DUKE) McGuire Nuclear Stations 1 and 2 [McGUIRE] and Catawba Nuclear Stations 1 and 2 [CATAWBA]. And Support for Motion to Suspend Proceeding Filed by NIRS 11/29/01. Download .pdf file

Nov. 16, 2001: Janet Zeller's report from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Advisory Committee on Reactor Safety (ACRS) meeting to hear staff reviews of the key issues in Duke Cogema Stone & Webster’s (DCS) Construction Authorization Request (CAR) for the plutonium fuel factory proposed for the Savannah River Site. 

Nov. 15, 2001: NUCLEAR REACTORS THREAT TO HOMELAND SECURITY - GOVERNMENT DOWNPLAYS THE RISK

Despite U.S. government knowledge that terrorists were targeting nuclear plants, security risks have been downplayed for years by both industry and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, according to a Greenpeace report released Thursday. The report, Risky Business: The Probability and Consequences of a Nuclear Accident, co-released locally with the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, analyzes each of the 103 nuclear reactors operating in the U.S. and includes detailed maps of the consequences and fall out for the 12 worst reactor  sites. The Catawba reactors and McGuire reactors north and south of Charlotte figure prominently in the lists. BREDL Press Release and link to report

OCTOBER 2001

Oct. 23, 2001: Today at a press conference in Rock Hill, SC, the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL) announced the filing of a legal petition to block the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission's proceedings for the extension of licenses for Duke Energy’s Catawba and McGuire nuclear power plants. BREDL Press Release ; Petition to NRC

Tue., Oct. 9, 2001 at 1 pm: BREDL's Don Moniak will appear on Armstrong Williams' nationally syndicated radio talk show. He will discuss nuclear security. Please check your local radio listings.

SEPTEMBER 2001

Sept. 14, 2001: BREDL files petition with NRC for leave to intervene in the license renewal proceedings for Duke Energy's Catawba 1&2 and McGuire 1&2 nuclear power plants in Rock Hill, SC and Charlotte, NC.  Duke has requested 20-year renewal of their licenses to operate the four reactors.  The licenses for the four units are set to expire in 2021-2026.  Therefore, if the renewals are granted, Duke could operate the reactors until 2041-2046. 

September 21, 2001 - The re-licensing public hearing for Catawba nuclear power station will be held at the Rock Hill Council Chamber at the City Hall, located at 155 Johnston Street, Rock Hill, South Carolina, on Tuesday, October 23, 2001. The NRC will hold the hearing in two 3-hour sessions: from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.  NRC will record a transcript of the hearing.

September 10, 2001 - The first re-licensing public hearing for McGuire nuclear power station will be held at the North Campus of Central Piedmont Community College (in the auditorium) on Tuesday, September 25, 2001.   CPCC is on 11920 Verhoeff Road, Huntersville, North Carolina, about 15 miles north of Charlotte.    The NRC will hold the hearing in two 3-hour sessions: from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.  NRC will record a transcript of the hearing.

AUGUST 2001

Aug. 30, 2001: Groups Warn South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges not to fall for MOX. Press Release

Aug. 29, 2001: BREDL letter to Dept. of Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham requesting information regarding the Department of Energy’s (DOE) program for long-term storage of plutonium and highly enriched uranium (HEU), and the related transportation of non-pit plutonium, at DOE’s Savannah River Site (SRS).

Aug. 29, 2001: A Report on the Plutonium (Pu) Situation, Promise To "Delay" Made In Bad Faith - The decision this week by the Department of Energy (DOE) to "delay" plutonium shipments to the Savannah River Site (SRS) involved several omissions of information and was another act of bad faith by an Agency with a long tradition of bending federal law and misleading the public. Read Media Advisory

Aug. 27, 2001: New York Times reports that the Bush Administration may abandon Plutonium Fuel (MOX) program. Meanwhile, Plutonium shipments to Savannah River Site have been put on hold while DOE formulates a disposal plan.

Aug. 23, 2001: PLUTONIUM FUEL FUNDING NEARLY EXHAUSTED , BAD COST ESTIMATES PLAGUE PROGRAM - Documents obtained this week by the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL) indicate that funding for the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Plutonium/MOX fuel program contract is nearly exhausted. BREDL Press Release , Plutonium Fuel Factory facts

Aug. 9, 2001: BREDL files motion to intervene in Duke Energy's request for liability relief.

JUNE 2001

June 25, 2001: BREDL comments on the Supplement to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for a Geologic Repository for the Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste at Yucca Mountain, Nye County, Nevada

MAY 2001

May 24, 2001: BREDL May 17, 2001 letter requesting NRC to hold hearing on Construction Authorization Request (CAR) for a Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication facility at Savannah River Site in South Carolina. (.pdf file) | BREDL Press Release

May 8, 2001 - BREDL comments regarding the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) Plutonium (MOX) Fuel Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) scoping period (Charlotte Public Hearing) (Lou Zeller)

May 9, 2001 - The Charlotte Observer - - "Plutonium use raises concerns - Residents question safety of plan to use fuel at McGuire, Catawba -
Opponents of a plan to turn surplus weapons plutonium into power-plant fuel on Tuesday questioned the suitability of two Duke Power nuclear plants to use the fuel and the ability of area residents to flee an accident.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission meeting in Charlotte was intended to seek public input on an environmental study of the facility where the mixed-oxide fuel, or MOX, would be manufactured, at the Savannah River Site near Aiken, S.C.

May 8, 2001 - The Augusta Chronicle -- " Political changes in the United States and Russia could push the former enemies into another Cold War, some Russian activists said Monday. ...Four activists visited Aiken and Augusta to raise awareness of problems facing Russia's nuclear program. Local chapters of the Sierra Club, Amnesty International, Georgians for Clean Energy and the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League played host to the group."

May 3, 2001: Press Release In Charlotte, NC today BREDL releases a new plutonium fuels transportation report outlining past problems with the U.S. Department of Energy's handling of plutonium. Link to reports :
Plutonium Fuel Transportation: More Uncertainties , Higher Costs ,Increased Risks
Overrated Records (Released May 3, 2001) - by Don Moniak (.pdf file)

The Dangers of Plutonium Transportation: (.pdf file) <<REVISED! (Revised and Re-released on May 3, 2001) a report by Louis Zeller
The Dangers of Plutonium Transportation (html file)

Russia's Nuclear Troubles more info on meetings.
Two Public Meetings featuring leaders from Russian Citizen Groups.
University of South Carolina Saturday, May 5th, 2001 7:30 p.m.
Aiken, SC Monday, May 7th, 2001 at 7 p.m.

APRIL 2001

April 18, 2001 - BREDL comments regarding the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) Plutonium (MOX) Fuel Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) scoping period. (Don Moniak)

(posted May 5, 2001)

The April 11, 2001 response to BREDL's March 23, 2001 letter to NRC Chairman Meserve requesting for NRC denial of MFFF Construction (.pdf file)

April 16, 2001: GROUP REPORTS LITANY OF IRREGULARITIES IN PLUTONIUM FUEL FACTORY LICENSE APPLICATION AND REVIEW:
Today, the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL) released documents challenging the plutonium fuel factory proposed for the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Savannah River Site (SRS) near Aiken, South Carolina. In a letter written to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), BREDL contends that the Duke Cogema Stone and Webster (DCS) plutonium factory license application is fatally flawed and should be rejected. The group also contends that DOE must complete a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. read BREDL Press Release

BREDL March 23, 2001 letter to NRC Chairman Richard Meserve requesting for NRC denial of MFFF Construction Authorization Request. (online April 16, 2001)

April 10, 2001 - Read GCE/BREDL Press Release - Georgians for Clean Energy and the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League will sponsor an informational Open House regarding the Department of Energy's ongoing plans to construct and operate a plutonium (MOX) fuel factory at the already heavily polluted Savannah River Site, approximately 90 miles upstream from Savannah. If built, the plutonium factory will generate millions of gallons of liquid radioactive waste and increase the potential of creating more permanent nuclear weapons and power production missions at SRS and the region.

The Open House will be held from:
4-8 p.m., April 12, 2001, at 3025 Bull Street, Savannah, GA.

MARCH 2001

BREDL March 23, 2001 letter to NRC Chairman Richard Meserve requesting for NRC denial of MFFF Construction Authorization Request. (online April 16, 2001) The April 11, 2001 response to BREDL's letter (.pdf file)

March 22, 2001 - GROUPS PETITION NRC FOR A FULL HEARING ON PLUTONIUM FUEL FACTORY

An international coalition of environmental, social justice, and nuclear weapons groups have petitioned the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to hold a formal licensing review of government plans to build a factory to make nuclear fuel from plutonium. Today, Georgians Against Nuclear Energy (GANE) and the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL) released a letter signed by 142 organizations requesting a full public process including testimony, written comments, discovery, subpoena, cross-examination, appeals, and the possibility of a hearing before the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board. More info: BREDL Press Release , February 22, 2001 letter to NRC Chairman Richard Meserve


Dr Ian Fairlie, Consultant in Environmental Radiation, March 19, 2001 notes on MOX fuel. (.pdf file) (posted with permission)


March 08, 2001 - Wilmington Morning Star -- "Critics of nuclear power are shining the spotlight on sea turtles killed and captured at the Brunswick Nuclear Plant each year, but turtle watchdogs say the concerns are overblown.
   A new report from three anti-nuclear groups says endangered turtles, manatees and fish are needlessly harmed at many of the 59 U.S. reactors that use the "once-through" system, where large amounts of water are drawn from a river or ocean to cool fuel rods generating steam for electricity. They want the federal government to require those plants to convert to a system that uses cooling towers needing about 20,000 gallons of water per minute.
   Featured in the "Licensed to Kill" report was Carolina Power & Light Co.'s Brunswick plant outside Southport. The 1,521-megawatt facility diverts about a million gallons per minute from the Cape Fear River into a canal that leads to large pumps".

July 20, 2000 - PRESS ADVISORY - JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE BY RUSSIAN AND AMERICAN NGOs AT G-8 SUMMIT - 12 Noon , July 22, 2000 NGO Center

July 17 - 24, 2000 - Reports from BREDL's Lou Zeller in Okinawa, Japan at the G-8 Summit.

July 3, 2000 - Letter to Heads of State of Nations of the G-8 From Non-governmental Organizations Opposing Plutonium Fuel

Map of transport routes analyzed for shipments toYucca Mountain through North Carolina and South Carolina.

JUNE 2000

June 5, 2000 - Russian and American Plutonium agreement draws fire.

May 2000

Reports from  BREDL' s Lou and Janet Zeller in Russia as they travel with the American Delegation on Plutonium Fuel. May 21 - June 11, 2000

April 2000

April 20, 2000 - At its annual meeting, Duke Shareholders voted in favor of burning plutonium (MOX) fuel. They rejected a proposal to refuse plutonium fuel for Duke reactors.

April 7, 2000 - Virginia Power drops out of Plutonium Fuel Consortium. Virginia Power has announced that it's dropping its plans to burn Plutonium fuel at its North Anna Nuclear Power Plant in Louisa County, Virginia. Duke Energy has said it will stay in the Plutonium fuel program.

April 7, 2000 - A federal judge has rejected an anti-nuclear coalition's motion to block an American-funded shipment of Russian plutonium to Canada, saying he lacked the jurisdiction to act.

March 2000

March 21, 2000 - Press Release , Excerpt from injunction motion/filing - Three Citizens' Organizations Join Legal Challenge to U.S. Nuclear Proliferation-Prone Plutonium Plan - On Tuesday, March 21,  Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, Physicians for Social Responsibility and Nuclear Information and Resource Service joined the plaintiffs who sued the US Department of Energy to stop a U.S.-Russian-Canadian plan to use nuclear weapons plutonium as fuel in nuclear power reactors.  UPDATE: April 7, 2000 - A federal judge has rejected an anti-nuclear coalition's motion to block an American-funded shipment of Russian plutonium to Canada, saying he lacked the jurisdiction to act.

March 17, 2000 - Public Citizen's Critical Mass Energy Project Press Release - More than 100 environmental organizations and grassroots citizen groups today asked the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to halt efforts to limit the public's rights in hearings on decisions that affect families, homes and communities. Sign-on letter sent to President Clinton

February 2000

Feb 15, 2000 - Indian Point, NY radiation steam leak - emergency declared A leak in a steam generator at a Hudson River nuclear power plant resulted in a brief release of radioactive steam. Operators manually shut down the reactor and declared an "Alert" following indications of a steam generator tube leak.

January 2000

Jan 29, 2000 - Reversing a position held for decades, the government has concluded for the first time that many workers who built America's nuclear weapons likely became ill because of exposure to radiation or toxic chemicals. The findings, based on a review of dozens of studies and raw medical data covering an estimated 600,000 workers at 14 nuclear weapons sites, could lead to compensation to the families of some of the workers. Many were unaware that they were being exposed to such health risks. This includes the Savannah River Site.

Jan 7, 2000 - Reaction to the Department of Energy decision that it is safe to use weapons grade plutonium as fuel for Duke Energy's Catawba reactors was as mixed Thursday as the fuel itself. The Department of Energy issued a "record of decision" Tuesday saying the proposal to convert up to 33 metric tons of surplus plutonium into mixed-oxide, or MOX, fuel was environmentally sound.

Jan 6, 2000 - The U.S. Department of Energy will move forward with plans to use weapons-grade plutonium at the Catawba Nuclear Station. The DOE issued a "record of decision" that said the process of using the mixed-oxide, or MOX, fuel was environmentally safe. With that announcement, the program will begin immediately with construction at the Savannah Nuclear Site in Georgia for a plant that can convert plutonium from decommissioned nuclear weapons into a fuel that would power nuclear reactors.

Jan 6, 2000 - Federal regulators have again cited the largest contractor at the Savannah River Site nuclear complex for failing to follow safety procedures. The latest problems occurred in a facility that recovers useful materials from radioactive and chemical wastes, and in a plant that stabilizes plutonium left over from other operations.

Jan 4, 2000 - The Department of Energy issues Record of Decision for Surplus Plutonium Disposition at Savannah River Site.The Department of Energy today announced its decision to dispose of up to 50 metric tons of surplus plutonium from the United States in a hybrid approach and to construct and operate three new facilities at its Savannah River Site (SRS).

October 1999

BREDL and SEER hosted French Delegation on Plutonium fuel.

September 1999

Tokai Accident on September 30, 1999.

Connecticut Yankee: The Haddam Neck Plant began active dismantlement of large radioactive components the week of September 13, 1999.

April 1999

Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IEER) unveils a comprehensive alternative to current official US government plans for management of highly radioactive wastes.

March 1999

From Synergy - Plutonium in the Piedmont: The MOX program ( Duke Power contracts with DOE to use plutonium-based mixed-oxide fuel (MOX) in reactors at McGuire and Catawba nuclear stations.)

Community leaders from Russia and North Carolina create coalition to stop the use of plutonium fuel in nuclear power plants

NRC wants closed meetings

DOE contracts with Duke Engineering & Services, COGEMA, Inc., and Stone & Webster to provide mixed oxide fuel fabrication and reactor irradiation services in support of the department's mission to dispose of surplus weapons plutonium.

Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IEER) says DOE Plutonium fuel contract award is inappropriate and premature.

February 1999

Savannah River in D.O.E. budget