On May 2, I traveled to DC to accept the Judith H. Jonsrud Unsung Hero Award from Linda Pentz Gunter, Beyond Nuclear, as part of their ANA DC days (Alliance for Nuclear Accountability). I accepted on behalf of myself, MAPA and ALL those who work to address the dangers of nuclear weapons and nuclear power.
Beyond Nuclear International has been an instrumental organization bringing light to the ongoing push for nuclear power and those who profit from it, while supporting those who work to oppose it.
While there, I was privileged to attend a senate briefing panel of extraordinary specialists talking about the nuclear power issue. You can watch a recording of the briefing on YouTube. The briefing was requested by Ralph Nader to both Beyond Nuclear and NIRS (Nuclear Information Resource Services).
I stayed with Linda and Paul Gunter (2 extraordinary nuclear activists) and had the pleasure of sharing stories with them and their other guest, M.V. Ramana. The NDWG has presented booktalks with both Linda (No To Nuclear) and Ramana (Nuclear Is Not The Solution). Linda, Paul and Ramana have been presenters in various MAPA webinars relating to nuclear power.
The experience of being in DC and being a part of the ANA was especially pertinent to me in light of what is happening in MA.
Here, Gov. Healey has proposed having nuclear as part of her climate bill, thus negating a 1982 public referendum. The governor and the industry have not dealt with the waste of the existing sites. There is push from the Trump administration that many governors have succumbed to, all the while the administration has decimated the NRC, the department whose job it is to examine safeguards.
Nuclear power is not clean, green, safe. It’s expensive and an undermines other renewables. It’s not for electricity turning on our lights, but theoretically for AI centers.
MAPA, under the NDWG, is a member of the Commonwealth Coalition for Democracy and Safe Energy, a group of activists from across the state. We need your voice, your call to your state senator and rep to call a halt to new Nukes in MA.
By Susan Mirsky