Meltdown of Democracy: Bringing Nukes Back Despite Statewide Vote Against Them

The Energy Affordability, Independence, and Innovation Act (H.4144) has lots of good things in it. There is at least one big problem with it, though: the bill’s Section 45 would repeal a citizen-initiated ballot measure – without going back to the voters first. It is in the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy and is being fast-tracked for passage in the fall.

Section 45 calls for the repeal of a 1982 Act that created democratic control of dangerous nuclear technology. It contains two key things: Before any new nuclear power facilities are built in Massachusetts, a majority of voters must approve, AND the vote cannot even be held unless there is an operating, permanent repository for the radioactive waste that would be generated. There is no permanent repository! The dangerous high-level waste is sitting out in the open at six reactor sites ringing Massachusetts, including in Plymouth, Rowe, and nearby Seabrook and VT Yankee.

Governor Healey has chosen to just get rid of the law, silencing our voices (and the democratic process) She wants to build Small Modular Reactors (SMRS) even though it would be many years before these are practical—and they will be extremely expensive, still produce toxic nuclear waste, and include safety and security concerns.  Far better to invest NOW in conservation and sustainable and safer forms of energy!

Panelists for the webinar are long-time environmental activists who have decades of experience fighting the nuclear industry and the pro-nuclear lobby. They will discuss the history of nuclear power in and around Massachusetts and its toxic impact on our communities, the Governor’s proposal for bringing in new nuclear, and will also offer a more democratic and carbon-free, nuclear-free path forward.  Join us and find out what you can do for a safer environment for all.

Deborah Katz, CSW is executive director of Citizens Awareness Network, a non -profit, grassroots New England organization fighting for clean air, democracy, and environmental justice. She coordinates environmental justice tours including tours to Utah, Nevada, Washington, DC and South Carolina, three Action Camps, and  national People’s Summits on Nuclear Waste.  Katz is an author who published Valley of the Shadow, a picture book on the grief process for the left behind.

Diane Turco is Executive Director of Cape Downwinders, a Cape Cod volunteer community grassroots organization with the mission to investigate, educate, and agitate for  protection of the people and environment from ongoing threats to communities from Holtec-Pilgrim’s decommissioning plans and nuclear waste dump at the site in Plymouth. After meeting Dr. Helen Caldicott in 1981, Diane began working then to end nuclear weapons and nuclear power and continues today. She is a retired teacher of children with intensive special needs and a grandmother of three sweet boys.

Chris Nord is the co-founder and Board member of the C-10 Research and Education Foundation – whose mission includes real-time radiological monitoring near the Seabrook atomic reactor, as well as education the public about safe and sustainable energy a alternatives.  He is Vice-President of the Citizens Awareness Network and founding member and non-violence trainer of the Clamshell Alliance.  He is the creator of the presentation “Nuclear Spent Fuel and Homeland Security: The Case forHardened Storage.” and also co-producer of “Circles Around the Fire”, a 30-minute slide/video program on nuclear power in New England.

Organized by MAPA’s Nuclear Disarmament WG and Indigenous Solidarity WG. Cosponsored by the  Commonwealth Coalition For Democracy and Safe Energy