Remembering The Ongoing Fukushima Tragedy 7 Years On

San Clemente Real Time Radiation Monitoring Now Active!

SanOnofre.Com/Radiation

Why Is Publicly Available Radiation Monitoring So Important
 To All Residents Of Southern California? 

San Onofre Shut Down 1/31/2012 - from SanOnofreSafety.org

Edison did not admit to the radioactivity of the leaks into the environment from San Onofre for over 17 days until they were forced to disclose this information by the Nuclear Regulatory Administration! When Edison issued a press release February 17, 2012 admitting to these radiation leaks into the our community .- Donna Gilmore

A common denominator, in every single nuclear accident is that before the specialists even know what has happened, they rush to the media saying, 'There's no danger to the public.'  They do this before they themselves know what has happened because they are terrified that the public might react violently, either by panic or by revolt. ~ Jacques Cousteau

  Doveryai, No Proveryai ~ President Ronald Reagan

Trust but Verify > Visit SanOnofre.com/Radiation to view Real Time Radiation Levels in San Clemente California, especially as So Cal Edison continues its fools errand of placing 3,600,000 lbs of nuke waste, in fragely thin cans, in a tsunami zone, on an earthquake fault. 

Remember The Ongoing Global Tragedy of Fukushima

Because Saving Trestles Is Not Just About A Toll Road

click to support radiation monitoring in your town 

Fukushima To San Onofre Sunseting On Nuclear Power

Public Meeting on San Onofre -- Public can speak out about PUC Dysfunction and Sky High Power Rates

Hundreds of secret documents in PUC San Onofre files may halt settlement

Opponents "GAGGED" at San Onofre Public Meeting but PUC Allows Hours of Private Meetings With Utilities

The California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) announced a public meeting regarding the San Onofre proposed settlement, Monday, June 16, 2014, at the Costa Mesa Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92627, 4pm to 7pm. The public is invited to present their views and ask questions

Opponents to the settlement will also hold a press conference at 3:30pm in the patio of the center just prior to the main event, which is considered the kick off to the "World Cup of Bailouts."

Some members of the public have said the CPUC is a "Kangaroo Court" and there are rumors that wild kangaroos will invade the meeting.

The settlement was negotiated by Southern California Edison (SCE) and San Diego Gas & Electric SDG&E) in secret meetings starting in May 2013, with one outside party, TURN (The Utility Reform Network) and one CPUC internal party, the Office of Ratepayer Advocacy (ORA). The final settlement was first revealed to the public and to other parties on March 27, 2014, with the stipulation that it could not be modified in any way.

It provides that SCE receive $3.3 billion for the crippled San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). Proponents have sold this as a $1.4 billion "refund" but in reality, that figure is simply the difference from the original absurd utility request of $4.7 billion and the proposed settlement figure.

Opponents believe ratepayers should receive refund checks of about $250 million.

"The difference in the two sides is stark. The utilities and their followers want ratepayers to provide the net asset value of the base plant PLUS a return of 2.65%, a situation unheard of, even in the distorted world of public utilities," said Ray Lutz, National Coordinator of Citizens Oversight, representing the Coalition to Decommission San Onofre (CDSO) a leading opponent to the bailout settlement. "It is clear that the Commission had this rigged from the beginning, as the meat of the investigation was delayed so long while they fiddled with inconsequential issues."

"The Commission has likely jumped to a conclusion to support the unfair settlement, without allowing the proceedings to complete, and that's why rumors are circulating that wild kangaroos may be invading the meeting," said Charles Langley, a San Diego Gas & Electric ratepayer.

In response to a recent Public Records Request, the CPUC revealed hundreds of secret documents provided to the Commission by technical consultants and never provided to other parties. "It is highly improper to collect all this data and share with the utilities but not with the other parties in the proceeding," said Michael Aguirre, who represents Ruth Henricks, a party in the CPUC San Onofre investigation. "Technical consultants have apparently been working for the Commission and with Commission lawyers for months, generating this treasure trove of secret documents that will likely kill the settlement on the spot. This looks like a way to set up a back-channel with utilities to allow the settlement to be discussed." The consultants were slated to be used for the Phase 3 investigation, which never was started.

The PUC’s pattern of stifling public participation is troubling. Last week a Court issued a decision to stop ratepayers from going to Superior Court to prevent closed door meetings in violation of the Bagley Keene Open Meeting Act.  Ratepayer advocate, Maria Severson, has called on state legislators to draft a bill that ensures the PUC – like every other state agency – has no closed door meetings and complies with the Public Records Act, and if they try to shut the door to the public, the ratepayers can go to Superior Court to stop them.  These “Sunshine” and “Open Meeting” Laws are not being obeyed by the Commission. Last month, PUC President Michael Peevey, a former Southern California  Edison officer, weighed in on the public’s right to participate in PUC proceedings. His position articulated on the attached five-second mp3 recording.

An extremely brief evidentiary hearing was held on May 14, 2014 in CPUC headquarters in San Francisco. At that meeting, SCE President Ron Litzinger admitted to Aguirre's questions that there was nothing in the record that would allow the Commission to evaluate whether the settlement adequately addressed ratepayer's claims.

Now, a public participation meeting is being held to allow the parties to make statements and to allow the public to ask questions. "We had to struggle to get equal time," Lutz said. "But now they are trying to control what we can say as well."

At first, they gave opponents no time at all. Then, proponents 40 minutes and opponents only 20 minutes. When the CDSO said they planned to make a Powerpoint presentation and needed more time, perhaps 30 minutes, the ALJ implemented a 'gag' order, disallowing a powerpoint presentation, and requiring all documents to be pre-approved by the ALJs (Administative Law Judges) before it could be presented.

ALJ Melanie Darling said "No projectors, power points, or other argumentative aids will be permitted inside the meeting." and refused to provide a webcast of the meeting.

In response, the CDSO reasserted their request for 30 minutes during the meeting, with the following email, sent to all parties, bringing up the fact that the proponents of the settlement have already met with the Commission in ex parte meetings, including a personal meeting with Florio, the primary Commissioner of the proceeding, for more than two hours.

Dear ALJ Darling:

On April 14, 2014, Southern California Edison and other proponents (SDG&E, TURN, ORA, FOE) of the proposed settlement met in a number of private ex parte meetings. The notice of these meetings is attached. These parties met for 45 minutes with representatives for Commissioner Peevey, 30 minutes with advisors to Commissioner Picker, 30 minutes with advisors to, and with Commissioner Florio, and 30 minutes with Advisors to Commissioner Peterman. During these meetings, they presented their point of view to Commissioner Florio and advisors of the other Commissioners.

There were also other ex parte meetings with the Commission by the proponents of the settlement.

According to the rules of practice and procedure (8.2 and 8.3), such meetings are allowed in ratemaking proceedings with advisors to Commissioners without prior notice. Prior notice was provided for the meeting with Commissioner Florio. This is a ratemaking proceeding. Also, including in those rules, other parties are allowed to request equal time in similar ex parte meetings.

The CDSO hereby makes such a request. We request that we be allowed time at this public meeting to make our presentation to those commissioners and advisors who are present at the meeting. We will not be constrained in what we choose to present to the commissioners. We plan to bring a power point projector and screen so we may effectively communicate our position, since I'm sure the proponents were not constrained in their private presentations, and we will be distributing any material we see fit during our presentation to the Commissioners.

I hereby reassert our request for 30 minutes during this meeting for the opponents to the settlement to use as they see fit.

Respectfully,
--Raymond Lutz 

"We have yet to hear back from ALJ Darling, but we are going to assert our rights to make our case as strongly as we can, even though it's clear that this regulatory agency is fully captured by the utilities," Lutz said. 

CONTACT:  Ray Lutz    619-820-5321  / raylutz at citizensoversight dot org

EVENT 1: Orange County Press Conference
WHERE:   Costa Mesa Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92627
WHEN:     (just prior to the public meeting at 4pm)

EVENT 2: CPUC Public Meeting
WHERE:   Costa Mesa Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92627
WHEN:     4-7 pm, Monday, June 16, 2014
NOTE:       Rumors are that wild kangaroos will be invading this "kangaroo court"

Fukushima To San Onofre Sunseting On Nuclear Power

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SCE Cited For Major Nuclear Related Safety Violation At San Onofre

Get SCE Out of San Onofre

Background: NRC Spent Fuel Pool Cooling Requirements:

“Each licensee shall develop and implement guidance and strategies intended to maintain or restore core cooling, containment, and spent fuel pool cooling capabilities under the circumstances associated with loss of large areas of the plant due to explosions or fire ….”

The San Onofre spent fuel cooling fire protection plan in the event of a large fire and/or explosion hinges on the expertise and staffing of the on-sight San Onofre Fire Department.

Since the San Onofre Fire Department and Emergency Planning Personnel Staffing was reduced to a skeleton crew without prior approval from the NRC after a full and proper evaluation, the existing fire plan is now outdated and unrealistic in event of a large fire or explosion.

A Spent Fuel Pool Cooling Accident, in case of a large fire or explosion without adequate and demonstrated mitigation measures is a MAJOR Nuclear Safety Concern for all the millions of Southern Californians living within the 10 Mile Emergency Protection Zone.  Remember Fukushima's triple meltdowns occurred because of a failure to keep their reactors cool after the big earth quake and tsunami which occurred on 03/11/11.

Last Friday, the NRC cited SCE, the operator of San Onofre's nuclear power plant for violating NRC rules by failing to get approval before eliminating 39 emergency-response jobs after the plant closed last year.

Historically, NRC Region IV has had the habit of citing Southern California Edison with only low level violations, even if the violations were actually severe violations.  This cozy relationship was a contributing factor in the radioactive leak that resulted in the early decommissioning of San Onofre Units 2 & 3 and the loss of billions of dollars to SoCal ratepayers that could have been prevented, if the NRC had enforced the Federal Regulations as written.  This type of safety enforcement is not good for Californians or the NRC.  Now a serious review/investigation and proper action/fines are required by the NRC and its Commissioners, to assure Nuclear Safety is maintained at San Onofre and all the other US Nuclear Power Plants.

The question the NRC should ask is, "Knowing that the SPENT FUEL POOLS MUST STILL BE KEPT COOL 24/7 no matter what, if a major earth quake occurred tonight, would San Onofre Fire Dept.'s skeleton crew be able to guarantee US that they could prevent a nuclear accident from occurring, especially since the 39 emergency-response positions that were illegally eliminated, probably cost ratepayers much less than even one still employed highly paid nuclear manager who would be home sleeping?  

The question that the CPUC should ask is, "If SEC is really interested in safety as they keep telling us, what is the reasonableness of continually cutting corners on those that actually insure our safety, while at the same time retaining other highly paid nuclear Staff?

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Turn Off A Light For Fukushima

http://unplugnuclearpower.com/

Direct Action Strategy

It's time to punish the electric utility companies in the only way that they understand, by taking money away from them. When so many people join this action that the utilities see a measurable drop in their revenue, they will think twice about all the money and resources they have spent keeping nuclear power alive. Join our action, and let us know what level of conservation you will be practising on March 11. Level 1 - Turn off extra lights and power; Level 2 - Severely cut back on electricity use; Level 3 - Use no utility power that day (Caution! requires careful planning!); or Level 4 - Use solar or wind power to put energy back into the grid.

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Remembering Fukushima Film Screening Laguna Beach March 11

Remembering Fukushima BC Space Gallery Laguna Beach

Film Screening : March 11 : Metamorphosis by Jun Hori : 7 pm
(3rd Anniversary of the 2011 Earthquake & Tsunami)

Jun Hori is a noted Japanese television journalist and commentator. His documentary video “Metamorphosis” explores the Japanese citizen reaction to the Fukushima reactor meltdowns, and public opposition to government proposals to reopen Japan’s remaining 50 reactors. “Metamorphosis” also explores several nuclear accident sites in the United States, including Three Mile Island. When NHK, Japan’s public television network, refused to broadcast “Metamorphosis,” Jun Hori ended his long-term relationship with NHK.

When San Onofre's nuclear waste generating plant closed last summer, many breathed a sigh of relief. Yet San Onofre still requires a multi-decade 'decommissioning,' with radioactive fuel and components carted away to uncertain disposal, at further expense measured in hundreds of millions of dollars. Who profits and who pays is in dispute.

Plutonium Is Forever

For additional information please contact the gallery or Mark Chamberlain at 949.697.5237

BC Space Gallery
235 Forest Avenue
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.497.1880
bcspace@mol.net

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This statement reflects the wisdom of the Spiritual People of the Earth

photo from Art of the Rural 

Indigenous Elders and Medicine Peoples Council Statement on Fukushima

View the original statement with signatures here (PDF): COUNCIL_FUKUSHIMA_STATEMENT_OCT_2013

Council Statement

This statement reflects the wisdom of the Spiritual People of the Earth, of North and South America, working in unity to restore peace, harmony and balance for our collective future and for all living beings. This statement is written in black and white with a foreign language that is not our own and does not convey the full depth of our concerns.

The Creator created the People of the Earth into the Land at the beginning of

Creation and gave us a way of life. This way of life has been passed down

generation-to-generation since the beginning. We have not honored this way of

life through our own actions and we must live these original instructions in order

to restore universal balance and harmony. We are a part of Creation;

thus, if we break the Laws of Creation, we destroy ourselves.

We, the Original Caretakers of Mother Earth, have no choice but to follow and uphold

the Original Instructions, which sustains the continuity of Life. We recognize our

umbilical connection to Mother Earth and understand that she is the source of life, not a

resource to be exploited. We speak on behalf of all Creation today, to communicate an

urgent message that man has gone too far, placing us in the state of survival. We warned

that one day you would not be able to control what you have created. That day is here.

Not heeding warnings from both Nature and the People of the Earth keeps us on the path

of self destruction. This self destructive path has led to the Fukushima nuclear crisis, Gulf

oil spill, tar sands devastation, pipeline failures, impacts of carbon dioxide emissions and

the destruction of ground water through hydraulic fracking, just to name a few. In

addition, these activities and development continue to cause the deterioration and

destruction of sacred places and sacred waters that are vital for Life.

Powerful technologies are out of control

and are threatening the future of all life

The Fukushima nuclear crisis alone is a threat to the future of humanity. Yet, our concern

goes far beyond this single threat. Our concern is with the cumulative and

compounding devastation that is being wrought by the actions of human beings around

the world. It is the combination of resource extraction, genetically modified organisms,

moral failures, pollution, introduction of invasive species and much much more that are

threatening the future of life on Earth. The compounding of bad decisions and their

corresponding actions are extremely short-sighted. They do not consider the future

generations and they do not respect or honor the Creator’s Natural Law. We strongly

urge for the governmental authorities to respond with an open invitation to work and

consult with us to solve the world’s problems, without war. We must stop waging war

against Mother Earth, and ourselves.

We acknowledge that all of these devastating actions originated in human beings who are

living without regard for the Earth as the source of life. They have strayed from the

Original Instructions by casting aside the Creator’s Natural Law. It is now critical for

humanity to acknowledge that we have created a path to self destruction. We must restore

the Original Instructions in our lives to halt this devastation.

The sanctity of the Original Instructions has been violated. As a result, the Spiritual

People of the Earth were called ceremonially to come together at the home of the Sacred

White Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle. These Spiritual Leaders and those that carry great

responsibility for their people from both North and South America came together with the

sacred fire for four days at the end of September 2013 to fulfill their sacred

responsibilities. During this time it was revealed that the spirit of destruction gained its’

strength by our spiritually disconnected actions. We are all responsible in varying

degrees for calling forth this spirit of destruction, thus we are all bound to begin

restoring what we have damaged by helping one another recover our sacred

responsibility to the Earth. We, the Original Caretakers of Mother Earth, offer our

spiritual insight, wisdom and vision to the global community to help guide the actions

needed to overcome the current threats to all life.

We only have to look at our own bodies to recognize the sacred purpose

of water on Mother Earth. We respect and honor our spiritual relationship

with the lifeblood of Mother Earth. One does not sell or contaminate their

mother’s blood. These capitalistic actions must stop and we must recover

our sacred relationship with the Spirit of Water

The People of the Earth understand that the Fukushima nuclear crisis continues to

threaten the future of all life. We understand the full implications of this crisis even with

the suppression of information and the filtering of truth by the corporate owned media

and Nation States. We strongly urge the media, corporations and Nation States to

acknowledge and convey the true facts that threaten us, so that the international

community may work together to resolve this crisis, based on the foundation of Truth.

We urge the international community, government of Japan and TEPCO to unify efforts

to stabilize and re-mediate the nuclear threat posed at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear

power plant. To ensure that the Japanese government and TEPCO are supported with

qualified personnel and information, we urge the inclusion of today’s nuclear experts

from around the world to collaborate, advise and provide technical assistance to prevent

further radioactive contamination or worse, a nuclear explosion that may have

apocalyptic consequences.

The foundation for peace will be strengthened by restoring the Original Instructions in ourselves

Prophecies have been shared and sacred instructions were given. We, the People of the

Earth, were instructed that the original wisdom must be shared again when imbalance

and disharmony are upon Mother Earth. In 1994 the sacred white buffalo, the giver of

the sacred pipe, returned to the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota people bringing forth the

sacred message that the winds of change are here. Since that time many more

messengers in the form of white animals have come, telling us to wake up my children. It

is time. So listen for the sacred instruction.

All Life is sacred. We come into Life as sacred beings. 

When we abuse the sacredness of Life we affect all Creation

We urge all Nations and human beings around the world to work with us, the Original

Caretakers of Mother Earth, to restore the Original Instructions and uphold the

Creator’s Natural Law as a foundation for all decision making, from this point forward.

Our collective future as human beings is in our hands, we must address the Fukushima

nuclear crisis and all actions that may violate the Creator’s Natural Law. We have

reached the crossroads of life and the end of our existence. We will avert this potentially

catastrophic nuclear disaster by coming together with good minds and prayer as a global

community of all faiths.

We are the People of the Earth united under the Creator’s Law with a sacred covenant to

protect and a responsibility to extend Life for all future generations. We are expressing

deep concern for our shared future and urge everyone to awaken spiritually. We must

work in unity to help Mother Earth heal so that she can bring back balance and harmony

for all her children.

Representatives of the Council

Chief Arvol Looking Horse
19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe
Spiritual Leader
The Great Sioux Nation

Bobby C. Billie
Clan Leader and Spiritual Leader
Council of the Original Miccosukee
Simanolee Nation Aboriginal Peoples

Faith Spotted Eagle, Tunkan Inajin Win
Brave Heart Society Grandmother/Headswoman & Ihanktonwan Treaty Council
Ihanktonwan Dakota from the Oceti Sakowin

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TO THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN

To the people of Japan,

We, the anti-nuclear activists and environmentalists around the world, are very sorry this catastrophic nuclear accident has happened to the people in the land of Japan. We will continue to support and pray for you all.

Take heart and be strong and do not lose faith because in the aftermath of this tragic accident, there have been many thousands of people in the streets protesting one of the worst environmental disasters in the world. You now have a chance to lead the world and show us how to break the corrupt connection between the nuclear industry and governments.  You also have the opportunity to lead us in finding the solution of what to do with nuclear waste.  This, the whole world desperately needs.  I am speaking of the many millions of pounds of nuclear waste that are now present in our one world. It is not too late.  We still have time to prevent the looming disasters that the nuclear power industry and corrupt governments are perpetrating on the people of the world.

Take heart and lead the people as the strong and powerful intellectual force that you are.  Lead us in the right actions to save the world from any future nuclear disasters. We are counting on you and stand with you.

Gene Stone

ROSE, http://residentsorganizedforasafeenvironment.wordpress.com/

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Nuclear Reactors Have No Off Switch Arnie Gundersen

'The Fukushima Nuclear Accident -
Lessons for California from then Prime Minister Kan and other distinguished speakers.'

In this segment, Arnie Gundersen, Chief Engineer, Fairewinds Associates, gives his analysis of the lessons learned from Fukushima applied to San Onofre.

The public forum, held June 4, 2013 in the San Diego City Council chambers, was organized by Torgen Johnson.

View Arnie Gundersens presentation here 

Captured by EON and re-posted here as a public service.

Sooner or later, in any foolproof system, the fools exceed the proofs! ~ Arnie Gundersen 

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Gregory Jaczko Fukushima Lessons for California

You do not have to be against nuclear power,

to be against restarting the San Onofre nuclear power plant. 

Lessons for California from Gregory Jaczko, Former Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

In this segment the Former Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, shares his views on nuclear safety issues in the U.S. in the light of the on-going Fukushima disaster, and his view that San Onofre should not be restarted.

The public forum, held June 4, 2013 in the San Diego City Council chambers, was organized by Torgen Johnson.

In addition to Prime Minister Kan (ably translated by Cathy Iwane) speakers included:
Gregory Jaczko, Former Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; Peter A. Bradford, former member of the NRC; and Kendra Ulrich, Friends of the Earth.

Captured by EON and reposted here as a public service.

Nuclear Accidents Do Happen. ~ Gregory Jaczko

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