From: owner-abolition-usa-digest@lists.xmission.com (abolition-usa-digest) To: abolition-usa-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: abolition-usa-digest V1 #49 Reply-To: abolition-usa-digest Sender: owner-abolition-usa-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-abolition-usa-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk abolition-usa-digest Sunday, December 13 1998 Volume 01 : Number 049 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1998 16:29:04 -0600 (CST) From: smirnowb@ix.netcom.com (Robert Smirnow) Subject: (abolition-usa) Fwd: US SIGN ON - URGENT! DOE COMMERCIAL/MILITARY LINK - --- Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1998 14:02:24 -0800 (PST) From: Peace Action - National Office Sender: owner-abolition-caucus@igc.org Subject: US SIGN ON - Urgent! To: abolition-caucus@igc.org To : Abolition caucus From: Brad Morse and Bruce Hall Please respond to Brad Subject: tritium sign-on letter Status: RO Dear folks The DOE decision on renewing production of tritium for nuclear weapons is imminent. As such, Peace Action and ANA have drafted this letter, asking one more time that Secretary Richardson have the courage to recognize our (hopefully) shrinking nuclear arsenal and the lack of any real need for tritium, and choose not to produce tritium at all. As it appears more and more that DOE is going to make SOME decision, and perhaps leaning in the direction of the commercial reactor option, we are asking specifically that he not choose that particular method, on the grounds that doing so would cross the line between commercial and military uses of nuclear technology, and would diminish the position of the US to further the cause of nuclear non-proliferation. Because there will be a "public meeting" on Monday night in Tennessee (see my earlier message of today) to discuss the commercial production of tritium at the Watts Bar or Sequoyah plants, we are looking for sign-ons from any and every group by Monday Dec. 14 at noon. We will fax the letter to Secretary Richardson on Monday, so that it is at DOE Headquarters by the time they are having the "meeting" in Tennessee. In addition, we are looking for ways to get it to Tennessee in time for the "meeting" as well. That's it. Please let me know if you can sign on. Thanks all. Brad >>> >>>December xx, 1998 >>> >>>The Honorable Bill Richardson >>>Secretary of Energy >>>Washington, DC >>> >>>Dear Secretary Richardson: >>> >>>The undersigned organizations, representing thousands of concerned >>>citizens throughout the country, strongly oppose U.S. plans to >>>utilize commercial nuclear power plants to produce tritium for >>>nuclear weapons. In our view, such a plan would blur the line >>>between civilian and military applications of nuclear power and >>>thus sets a dangerous precedent from a non-proliferation >>>standpoint. In addition, further reductions in nuclear arsenals, >>>supported by your administration and increasingly likely, would >>>make a new source of tritium unnecessary. >>> >>>As you are aware, it has been the long-standing policy of the >>>United States to separate military and civilian uses of nuclear >>>technology. We stand behind that policy and continue to believe >>>that in this area, the United States must make non-proliferation >>>concerns paramount. Recent revelations that the Indian government >>>procurred tritium for its nuclear weapons program from Western- >>>built 'civilian' reactors reinforces our view. >>> >>>Section 56e of the Atomic Energy Act forbids special nuclear >>>material produced in a commercial reactor from being used "for >>>nuclear explosive purposes." While definitions of "special nuclear >>>material" do not include tritium, this technicality does not mask >>>the fact that the Department of Energy plans to use a source of >>>civilian electricity as a source of materail to boost the >>>destructive power of the nuclear weapons in the U.S. arsenal. As >>>a former Ambassador to the United Nations you must be able to >>>appreciate how apparent contradictions in our nuclear weapons >>>policies undercut our ability to champion the cause of nuclear non- >>>proliferation abroad. >>> >>>The U.S. timeline for securing a new source of tritium is >>>based on out-dated thinking in terms of the size of the U.S. >>>nuclear arsenal. The United States still bases its planning on >>>maintaining a START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) I arsenal. >>>Implementation of START II, now pending ratification in the Russian >>>Duma, will delay the "need" for new tritium until at least >>>2011 since the tritium from nuclear weapons being retired under the >>>provisions of the START treaties can be recycled into the nuclear >>>weapons slated to remain in the arsenal. The lower force levels >>>envisioned under the broad outlines of START III agreed to by >>>Presidents Clinton and Yeltsin last year would delay the "need" for >>>new tritium even further into the 21st Century. >>> >>>We are particularly concerned about the prospect of using tax payer >>>dollars to complete the construction of the Tennessee Valley >>>Authority's Bellefonte nuclear reactor to produce nuclear weapons >>>tritium. In addition to the substantial burden this proposal would >>>present for taxpayers, bringing Bellefonte on-line would add to the >>>ever growing amount of nuclear waste in the United States. A >>>problem for which there is no adequate solution. >>> >>>We understand that your office is under considerable pressure to >>>choose between a number of potential tritium sources, each of which >>>has considerable fiscal or non-proliferation drawbacks. At a time >>>of emerging consensus on the desirability of significantly reducing >>>the U.S. nuclear arsenal we urge you to make the courageous >>>decision of "none of the above" regarding tritium sources. We >>>stand ready to work with your office on the removal of legislative >>>language forcing the United States to maintain a massive Cold War- >>>sized arsenal. >>> >>>The United States does not need to move forward with a new tritium >>>program that will waste further taxpayer dollars and has the >>>potential to undercut long-standing non-proliferation policy. >>> >>>Sincerely, >>> >>> >>> ******************************** Brad Morse Program Assistant Alliance for Nuclear Accountability 1801 18th St., NW Suite 9-2 Washington, DC 20009 www.ananuclear.org ph:(202) 833-4668 fax:(202) 234-9536 - - To unsubscribe to abolition-usa, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe abolition-usa" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1998 20:18:02 -0600 (CST) From: smirnowb@ix.netcom.com (Robert Smirnow) Subject: (abolition-usa) Fwd: FLOATING CHERNOBYLS[?] IN SAN DIEGO BAY - ---- To: Robert Smirnow Subject: S.D./nukenavy Subject: Floating Chernobyls in San Diego Bay Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1998 14:24:17 -0800 From: Laura Hunter Organization: Environmental Health Coalition To: envirovideo@earthlink.net ACTION ALERT AND STATUS REPORT ON THE NUCLEARIZATION OF SAN DIEGO AND THE FUTURE AIRCRAFT CARRIER FLEET Environmental Health Coalition (EHC ) would like to raise the following recent Nuclear Navy activity to the attention of activists in the country and seek your support. The continued strangle-hold of the Naval Reactors Office over the Navy is being played out in San Diego in form of the Nuclear Megaport Project in San Diego Bay. As devastating as this project is for San Diego, it also has serious implications for the nation. The construction of multiple nuclear repair facilities, dredging of San Diego Bay, construction of what are essentially two in-bay waste landfills (one with hazardous waste), the siting of combined nuclear power that far exceeds a commercial reactor in the middle of a densely populated area (up to 18 separate reactors), and construction of multiple waste treatment and storage facilities including a mini-Ward Valley complete the picture of San Diego as the nation's newest Naval Nuclear Sacrifice Zone. Add to this, the recent decision of the Defense Acquisition Board that the next generation of aircraft carriers, the CVX generation, will be nuclear powered and the problem expands to impact many communities. All of this because Naval Reactors has the Navy is on a nuclear treadmill and refuses to let it off, even when the opportunity to do so presents itself. We are requesting that supporters call Secretary Richard Danzig. Please request that he: 1) direct his staff and project directors to conduct a new DEIS and environmental analysis that fully, accurately, and comprehensively assesses the entire Nuclear Carrier Megaport Project and, 2) stay the decision of the Defense Acquisition Board to make the CVX generation of carriers nuclear-powered until a full environmental and economic assessment can be completed on the entire nuclear home porting program, and a solution is determined for current and future generations of carriers?a solution that meets the Navy mission and poses the least threat to human health and the environment. 3) meet with local San Diego community members to hear directly about their concerns. Please call or write: Secretary Richard Danzig Secretary of the Navy 1000 Navy Pentagon Room 4E686 Washington D.C. 20350-1000 (703) 695-3131 BACKGROUND 1. A new complete, accurate, and comprehensive environmental analysis should be conducted prior to the final nuclear home porting and propulsion decisions. Current Status of the Nuclear Megaport in San Diego The Navy has already successfully implemented many of the necessary elements of the Nuclear Megaport. It strategically divided the environmental impacts of the project into 5 different assessments, severely segmenting the impacts. Only one of seven public hearings was held in San Diego. None of the hearings was attended by the official that made the decision on the document or the permit i.e. the public has yet to speak to a decision-maker about any aspect of this project. A clear violation of democratic principles. The Navy self-certifies its NEPA documents and then self-regulates the most dangerous aspects of the project from afar (Puget Sound Naval Shipyard regulates the radiological aspects of the project). We are left as an occupied community without access to decision makers or any voice in our future. The most recent environmental document was the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Developing Home Port Facilities for Three NIMITZ-Class Aircraft Carriers in Support of the U.S. Pacific Fleet (DEIS). The public comment period closed on November 12, 1998. Seven Independent Technical Experts agree?the DEIS is fatally flawed The DEIS is a highly flawed document and is unsuitable for determining impacts on the community. Both EHC and the City of Coronado hired multiple technical experts to conduct an independent review of the DEIS. All came to the same conclusion?the DEIS is fatally flawed and needs to be redone and reissued. To quote from the City of Coronado's letter "...the City of Coronado has determined that the Navy's DEIS is so inadequate as to preclude meaningful analysis, and therefore demands that a revised DEIS be prepared..." Our technical experts' review supported this conclusion. In general, the all of the consultants that reviewed other aspects of the DEIS all found that the information was deficient and did not allow for independent verification. Unfortunately, the Navy certifies its own environmental documents. The DEIS should be redone and recirculated before any final decision is made. 2. The recent decision for a nuclear CVX places San Diego and other communities at additional risks without benefit of any environmental analysis. The recent decision of the Defense Acquisition Board (DAB) that the next generation of aircraft carriers, the CVX generation will be nuclear powered expands and extends the impact to ours and other communities. There has been no environmental review process of this significant decision of which we are aware or have been notified. The development and construction of new, long-term nuclear technology has a myriad of environmental impacts, all of which impact communities and all of which need to be analyzed in the public arena. The GAO report, Navy Aircraft Carriers: Cost-Effectiveness of Conventionally and Nuclear Powered Carriers, finds nuclear propulsion costly and unnecessary to meet Navy mission One of the largest failings of the DEIS is that it did not assess the impacts of the entire nuclear home porting project or reflect current information. In the DEIS the Navy concludes that "Nuclear propulsion significantly enhances the military capability of aircraft carriers" . However, this has recently been disproved. An August, 1998 Government Accounting Office (GAO) report revealed that nuclear powered carriers (CVN) offer no discernible advantages compared to conventionally powered carriers (CV). This report contains significant new information that should be reflected in the environmental analysis. The GAO report considered several issues related to the CVN nuclear propulsion and found, after very thorough analysis, that the CVNs are far more expensive to operate and maintain, costing in excess of $8 billion more, and could cause problems with forward deployment of carriers in the Pacific region. The $8 billion figure is very understated. For example, the GAO admits that waste will be dangerous for thousands of years yet it only included the cost of 100 years of waste storage on the nuclear tab. The GAO also found that conventional carriers spend less time in maintenance and can be available sooner for a large scale crisis because it is easier to accelerate or compress their maintenance schedules. The GAO's analysis also demonstrates that a force of 12 conventional carrier groups can provide a greater level of overseas presence than can a larger nuclear carrier force of 13 carriers. Further, acquisition costs of a nuclear carrier are twice as expensive and mid-life modernization (refueling/refurbishing) is at least three times as expensive (compare $866 million with $2.4 billion). Deactivation is almost 20 times more costly ($52 million compared to $955 million) due to the costs of removing nuclear contaminated equipment and spent fuel. We would also add to the list all the other associated health and environmental problems of nuclear reactors. The bottom line is that the GAO's analysis shows that conventionally powered carriers can meet the Navy's mission and strategic needs at a significantly lower life-cycle cost. It is clear that the pursuit of non-nuclear propulsion for the next generation of carriers would avoid significant costs and could protect public health and the environment--all without compromising military readiness. But, the DAB has sealed our fate without any public input In spite of the findings of this study, in September, just one month after the release of the GAO report, the Defense Acquisition Board met and sealed our fate with a single decision about the CVX carriers?that they would be nuclear (Jane's Defence Weekly October 8,1998, US future carriers will be nuclear-powered) . As far as we know, this commitment of (at a minimum) $40 billion tax dollars and related health and environmental costs was made without any public input. The considerable cost of mining, hauling, operations, and thousands of years of waste storage of the deadly nuclear materials was not even considered or debated in a public forum. This action on the part of the DAB appears to continue the Naval Reactors' pursuit of a larger nuclear program than we need at the expense of democracy and public and environmental health. There is no reason why San Diego and the rest of the nation should have to support naval reactors that we can't afford, don't need, and that, in fact, put our lives and the health of our communities at risk. This decision impacts not only San Diego where the carriers may ultimately end up, but also the many communities that are impacted by the mining, transport of dangerous waste, construction of nuclear reactors, re-fueling and de-fueling, and storage of the waste. The Navy has an option, and an obligation, to turn away from a nuclear propulsion in the future carriers It is clear that the Navy could turn away from nuclear-propulsion in aircraft carriers without sacrificing military readiness or storage. One such credible design for a new conventional carrier can be found in a document from the Defense Technical Information Center titled A Short Take Off, Vertical Landing Carrier, S-CVX.(DTIC # ADA345638). This carrier design holds 60 aircraft while using a smaller personnel group with smaller size and conventional power. The recent Defense Acquisition Board decision to pursue a nuclear CVX should be set aside so that other alternatives should be analyzed and so should recent decisions by DOD to put more money into research and development for a nuclear CVX. An environmental impact study of this decision should be conducted. Use of conventionally powered CVX carriers could greatly reduce the threat to public safety and the environment in the future from this project, could save money, and is a reasonable alternative. Community Opposition in San Diego EHC continues to strongly fight the Navy's plans to home port three nuclear-powered aircraft carriers with related repair and waste storage facilities in San Diego Bay. As the Navy's plans have expanded people have become increasingly concerned about the impacts of this project. On October 28, the Navy held its first public hearing in San Diego on the project which was attended by an overflow crowd of almost 300 people. In addition, over 1000 people from residents in 31 different communities have requested that they be on the record as opposing the project. In addition, the Navy paid no attention to the environmental justice issues of this project, preferring rather to confine the "area of impact" to Coronado, a wealthy, white community directly adjacent to the base. This exclusionary strategy was borne out in the public hearings. Although almost 100 of those in attendance at the hearing were from the primarily Spanish-speaking, downwind communities of Barrio Logan, National City, and Sherman Heights, there was no translation available at the hearing and none of the documentation was produced in Spanish, even though it had been requested by San Diego Mayor Susan Golding. The DEIS dismisses the idea that downwind communities will be impacted and continues to consider Coronado the only impacted community. The DEIS does little to address the issues of exposure through fish consumption or toxic or radiological air releases. The day after the hearing, several hundred people called the office of the Secretary of the Navy requesting an audience with him in San Diego to hear our concerns about the project. Although he visited San Diego two days after his appointment, no contact with community residents was made. We urge supporters to help us by writing and calling Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig Secretary of the Navy 1000 Navy Pentagon Room 4E686 Washington D.C. 20350-1000 (703) 695-3131 Please request that he: 1) direct his staff and project directors to conduct a new DEIS that fully, accurately, and comprehensively assesses the entire Nuclear Megaport Project and, 2) stay the decision if the Defense Acquisition Board to make the CVX generation of carriers nuclear-powered until a full environmental and economic assessment can be completed on the entire nuclear home porting program, and then a solution is determined for current and future generations of carriers?a solution that meets the Navy mission and poses the least threat to human health and the environment. 3) meet with local community members to hear from the community directly about their concerns. This is issue is being significantly under covered in the media. Compared to the massive opposition by California elected officials and extensive media coverage on Ward Valley, this presence of up to 18 nuclear reactors and a mini-Ward valley (self-regulated no less) in the middle of the nation's 6th largest city goes, apparently, unnoticed. Elected officials, for the most part, will not get involved. This nuclearization of San Diego will ensure a continued nuclear future for the nation with all the attendant risks. We are seeking your help so that we can break the choke-hold of Naval Reactors over the Navy and turn back the nuclear CVX decision. We would greatly appreciate hearing from any one who has information on these or related issues. Please call or email me with any questions or information. We will keep you posted. Laura Hunter, Director Clean Bay Campaign Environmental Health Coalition ehcoalition@igc.org (619) 235-0281 FAX (619) 232-3670 - - To unsubscribe to abolition-usa, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe abolition-usa" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1998 22:15:32 -0800 From: Shundahai Network Subject: (abolition-usa) U.S. Subcritical conducted at 2pm, 12/11 Dear friends, we are sad to announce that the U.S. Subcritical Nuclear Weapons Test "Cimerron" was conducted today, Dec 11, at 2pm Pacific Standard Time. Thank you to all those around the world that have demonstrated and sent letters against these tests.! ><<><< ><<><< ><<><< ><<><< ><<><< ><<><< ><<><< ><<><< ><<><< ><<><< ><<><< ><<><< SHUNDAHAI NETWORK "Peace and Harmony with all Creation" out,out5007 Elmhurst St., Las Vegas, NV 89108-1304 Phone:(702)647-3095 (FAX)647-9385 Email: shundahai@shundahai.org 0000,0000,fefehttp://www.shundahai.org Shundahai Network is proud to be part of: Healing Global Wounds Alliance, a multi-cultural alliance to foster sustainable living and break the nuclear chain; and Abolition 2000: A Global Network to Eliminate Nuclear Weapons ><<><< ><<><< ><<><< ><<><< ><<><< ><<><< ><<><< ><<><< ><<><< ><<><< ><<><< ><<><< - - To unsubscribe to abolition-usa, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe abolition-usa" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 12 Dec 1998 14:57:14 EST From: DavidMcR@aol.com Subject: (abolition-usa) November 2 New Yorker Friends, It is possible a note on this appeared already on one of the two Abolition lists - I often am so far behind I am forced just to delete. But better by far, in this case, to risk duplication. I just finished reading Amitav Ghosh's excellent article on "Countdown: Why Can't Every Country Have the Bomb" in the November 2nd issue of the New Yorker. Sorry that it is impossible for me to post, scan, or duplicate it - time limits forbid. But this is a sober, disturbing, carefully worked out examination of the nuclear bombs tested in India and Pakistan, the chances they will be used, and some idea of what would happen if they were. If you have access to that issue of the New Yorker, read it. If you are in the NYC area, I'll hold onto my copy and you can borrow from me (usually the issues are thrown out when done, after I clip cartoons). - - To unsubscribe to abolition-usa, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe abolition-usa" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 12 Dec 1998 16:55:51 -0600 (CST) From: smirnowb@ix.netcom.com (Robert Smirnow) Subject: (abolition-usa) CNN COLD WAR SERIES SATURDAY & SUNDAY NIGHTS Friends, CNN is running a series on the Cold War which airs here in the New York[I assume at least all of the East Coast of the USA] area each Saturday night at 10 PM & a new episode airs Sunday nights at 8PM. Nuclear weapons & doctrine obviously play a large role in much of the programming.Last week there was an excellant episode on the Cuban Missile Crisis. -Bill Smirnow - - To unsubscribe to abolition-usa, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe abolition-usa" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 12 Dec 1998 18:52:18 -0500 From: Kathy Crandall Subject: Re: (abolition-usa) CNN COLD WAR SERIES SATURDAY & SUNDAY NIGHTS In addition to watching the series on tv, if you have web access be sure to look at http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cold.war/experience/the.bomb/ - -focusing on the cold war and "the bomb" which also features an interactive message board on many nuclear weapons issues. Robert Smirnow wrote: > Friends, > CNN is running a series on the Cold War which airs here in > the New York[I assume at least all of the East Coast of the USA] area > each Saturday night at 10 PM & a new episode airs Sunday nights at 8PM. > Nuclear weapons & doctrine obviously play a large role in much of the > programming.Last week there was an excellant episode on the Cuban > Missile Crisis. > > -Bill Smirnow > > - > To unsubscribe to abolition-usa, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" > with "unsubscribe abolition-usa" in the body of the message. > For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send > "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. - -- DISARMAMENT CLEARINGHOUSE Nuclear Disarmament Information, Resources & Action Tools Kathy Crandall, Coordinator 1101 14th Street NW #700, Washington DC 20005 TEL: 202 898 0150 ext. 232 FAX: 202 898 0150 ext. 232 E-MAIL: disarmament@igc.org http://www.psr.org/Disarmhouse.htm http://www.psr.org/ctbtaction.htm A project of: Peace Action, Physicians for Social Responsibility and Women's Action for New Directions - - To unsubscribe to abolition-usa, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe abolition-usa" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 12 Dec 1998 22:51:27 -0600 (CST) From: smirnowb@ix.netcom.com (Robert Smirnow) Subject: (abolition-usa) Fwd: Sustainable Energy Coalition: "Weekly Update" - ---- From: SUN DAY Campaign To: "'Sustainable Energy Coalition: Weekly Update - List'" Subject: Sustainable Energy Coalition: "Weekly Update" Date: Sat, 12 Dec 1998 18:07:37 -0500 SUSTAINABLE ENERGY COALITION "WEEKLY UPDATE" December 13, 1998 The articles provided below were initially compiled by the SUN DAY Campaign (ph. 301-270-2258; fax: 301-891-2866) for the 36 member organizations of the Sustainable Energy Coalition (list available upon request). Feel free to distribute this newsletter to others. In addition, please let us know of other organizations, businesses, or government agencies that would like to be added to the e-mail list for this publication. This newsletter is presently sent to over 500 recipients nationwide. FEDERAL ENERGY BUDGET & TAXES 1.) Fiscal Year 2000 Budget Request: There has been no movement within the Administration towards increasing its total Fiscal Year 2000 budget request for energy efficiency and renewable energy although there may be some slight moving around of funds among competing accounts. In addition, there reportedly will be no increase in the funding levels for the weatherization and state grants programs over FY'99 and key programs such as Resource Assessment are slated to be zeroed out. The budget request is expected to be formally transmitted to Congress on or about February 1. 2.) Climate Change Tax Package: Presently, not much new money appears to be available for the Administration's $3.6 billion five-year climate change tax package and there may be only modest changes in the specific initiatives being proposed. A DOE official says that the problem is not the Energy Department but Treasury. 3.) Podesta/Energy Priorities: The December 7 "Roll Call " reports that when asked about priorities for the next year, in the interview, new White House Chief of Staff Podesta first mentioned saving Social Security, then the Patients' Bill of Rights. When then asked for other priorities, he responded: "Well, scientific research is one. We're for increasing medical research, but also other areas of science, too. Congress has given healthy increases to the National Science Foundation, but not to energy research, which is a priority of ours. We're going to push forward on the environment, we're going to try to go back and push forward on our initiative on school modernization." Roll Call then asked what were the environmental priorities. Podesta responded: "Clearly, we've got a massive agenda, especially on the research and incentive side to begin to deal with challenges of climate change." ELECTRIC UTILITY RESTRUCTURING 1.) EIA Analysis/RPS Impacts: An analysis in the Energy Information Administration's "Annual Energy Outlook 1999" says that the Renewable Portfolio Standard (5.5% renewables by 2010) in the White House's proposed Comprehensive Electricity Competition Act could account for a reduction in carbon emissions of 20 million metric tons in 2010 and 25 million metric tons in 2020. Electricity prices would increase by $1/month in 2010 but decrease thereafter as renewable energy technologies become more economical. The analysis also noted that more rapid development and adoption of energy-efficient technologies than that assumed in the reference case could lower energy demand in 2010 by 3% below the reference case and lower carbon emissions by 4%, or 69 million metric tons. In 2020, energy demand would be lower by 7% and emission by 6% or 127 million metric tons. For further details, see:. 2.) Utility Plant Emissions Database: The U.S. EPA has made available a new Emissions and Generation Resource Integrated Database (E-GRID) providing comprehensive CO2, SO2, and NOx emissions (per unit of electricity) and fuel source data for virtually all electric power plants in the U.S. It also provides the amount and percentage of power from different fossil fuels, nuclear power, and renewables. EPA considers this an important right-to-know tool for consumers choosing among competing electricity suppliers. E-GRID can be found at or call Rick Morgan (202-564- 9143) for further information. 3.) House Energy & Power Subcommittee: The December 4 "White House Bulletin" reports that Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-IL) may be named chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy & Power which would oversee development of utility restructuring legislation in the House. House Commerce Committee Chairman Tom Bliley (R-VA) is expected to name subcommittee members early next year. Evidently, Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) believes he has the chairmanship, but Hastert has sufficient seniority to get it. 4.) Senator Craig/Utility Restructuring: The November 30 "Inside Energy" reports that in a letter send to Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee Chairman Frank Murkowski (R-AK), Senator Craig Thomas (R-WY) indicated that he plans to reintroduce a version of the bill he introduced during the 105th session. That bill, S.722, would provide states with flexibility in determining how and when to open their markets to competition. Thomas argued that mandating competition "is not in the interests of all classes of customers and could result in increased rates for low- density states." CLIMATE CHANGE 1.) Earth Warmest in 1,200 Years: The December 12 "Washington Post" reports that "the warming of the Earth in this century is without precedent in at least 1,200 years and cannot be fully explained by any known combination of natural forces." It adds that Jonathan Overpeck, head of the paleoclimatology program for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says that new research that documents climate change as far back as the Holy Roman Empire is strengthening the argument that humans are partly responsible for the rising temperatures. "[W]hat we're now seeing ... [is] difficult to explain without turning to a 'greenhouse gas' mechanism. ... Twentieth century global warming is a reality and should be taken seriously," he noted. 2.) Climate/Congressional Prospects: Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) was recently quoted as saying that the Kyoto Protocol "is dead for as far as the eye can see in the U.S. Senate" because there was "no way" the White House could muster the two-thirds vote needed in the Senate to ratify the treaty. 3.) CO2 Solutions Study: White House economists, the DOE laboratories, and other EPA and DOE economists are reportedly developing a new analysis of the potential of energy efficiency and renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions. It is expected that the renewables portion of the study will be a lot stronger than before and, according to one person working on it, "the renewables community should be very happy with the new report." 4.) Population/CO2 Emissions: A new report, "Profiles in Carbon: An Update on Population, Consumption and Carbon Dioxide Emissions" by Population Action International charts 45 years of per capita C02 emissions in 179 countries, and then ranks most of these countries by their 1995 emissions. The report quantifies the inequity involved in these emissions, noting that the 20% highest emitting populations contribute fully 63% of the CO2 emissions. On a per-capita basis, Americans are the third-highest per-capita CO2 emitters behind only the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. Each American annually emits 5.3 metric tons of CO2 compared to 2.79 for Germans, 2.46 for Japanese, 1.38 for Swedish, and 0.71 for Chinese. The publication can be found at or call 202-659-1833. MISCELLANEOUS 1.) Solar Photovoltaic Rooftops: The December issue of "Photovoltaic Insider's Report" reports that the new German coalition government will launch a 100,000 solar rooftop program on January 1, 1999 that will dwarf any government photovoltaic program ever attempted in the 20-year history of the commercial PV industry. It is expected to create a market for some 500 MW of PV modules with a market value in the billions of dollars over the next few years -- about four time greater than total world module shipments of 122 MW in 1997. At present, the biggest government PV program is the solar rooftop program in Japan which called for the installation of 9,400 4-kW residential rooftop PV systems (or more than 35 MW of PV modules) in the last fiscal year. The U.S. has no program even approaching the size of the existing initiative in Japan or the new one in Germany. However, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District has launched a new program, PV Pioneer II, intended to enable residential utility customers to own their own rooftop PV system. Through the program, SMUD will "buy down" over half the cost of the solar system; a typical 2-kW rooftop system would generate enough energy to offset about half the average yearly energy needs of a SMUD customer and cost under $4,500 compared to a regular cost of $10,000. For details, see . 2.) Nuclear Ads Disputed: On December 9, the Better Business Bureau said a Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) advertising campaign , which touts nuclear energy "environmentally clean" is inaccurate and it recommended that the industry trade group refrain from making such claims. The ruling comes in response to a complaint filed by 15 environmental and consumer groups including six members of the Sustainable Energy Coalition. Based on extensively documented issues involving nuclear waste, thermal discharges, and fuel fabrication, the ruling states that the nuclear industry should not make unqualified claims that it produces electricity "without polluting the environment." NEI has indicated disappointment with the ruling but has waived its right to appeal. Let us know if you would like us to fax you a 13-page packet of statements and news stories. 3.) Renewable Caucus Members: Member-of-Congress-elect Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH) has joined the House Renewable Energy Caucus making her the first Member-elect to join the caucus. There are now 123 members of the House Renewable Energy Caucus in the incoming 106th Congress (52 R's, 70 D's, 1 I.). Let us know if you would like us to fax you a list. 4.) New Members of Congress/Environment: The Union of Concerned Scientists has prepared an 8-page analysis of the environmental and energy views of the new members of the 106th Congress (Senate and House). Let us know if you would like us to fax you a copy. 5.) New DOE EE/RE Staff: The U.S. Department of Energy has announced the appointment of David Leiter as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy and Ben Finzel as EE/RE's Director of Communications. ## END ## - - To unsubscribe to abolition-usa, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe abolition-usa" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1998 12:06:19 -0800 (PST) From: Timothy Bruening Subject: (abolition-usa) Letter about Nuclear Waste Shipment from Pennsylvania to Pleasention, CA In the near future, 10 spent nuclear fuel rods will be shipped from a power plant in Pennsylvania to General Electric's Vallecitos Nuclear Center, a nuclear laboratory in Pleasanton, CA. The Vallecitos Nuclear Center has received or delivered 53 commercial fuel rod shipments since 1979, totaling 513 kilograms. My friend Dorothy Brownold wants me to write a letter to the editor about the Vallecitos shipment. What should I say in the letter? - - To unsubscribe to abolition-usa, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe abolition-usa" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ End of abolition-usa-digest V1 #49 ********************************** - To unsubscribe to $LIST, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe $LIST" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message.