Speak out Against Negligent Environmental Rulemaking

In 2012 federal courts forced the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to suspend all licensing of U.S nuclear facilities for at least two years to create a court-approved Environmental Impact Statement on the permanent storage of radioactive nuclear waste. The NRC will hold hearings and accept comments by email on the Waste Confidence Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement and Proposed Rule. PSR feels that the Draft EIS is completely inadequate and we encourage our members to comment at these events. 

PSR Arizona Holds Climate Conference

Climate Smart Southwest was a roaring success with 44 co-sponsors, 300 registrants and another 300 attendees the prior evening to hear Dr. Eric Klinenberg speak about Heat Waves. Plenary sessions by eminent climate scientists focused on what to expect from climate change in the Southwest, workshops by national organizations and federal, state and local elected officials showed how to take political action effectively, and afternoon workshops got everyone engaged in one of 6 areas of climate change vulnerability. People in Tucson and the desert Southwest are galvanized!

PSR Organizes Senate Briefing on Dangerous Chemicals

PSR organized and chaired a briefing for the U.S. Senate last week, highlighting the urgent need for effective regulation of dangerous chemicals in consumer products and the environment. The briefing, which featured presentations by a research scientist and two leading academicians, examined the proposed "Chemical Safety Improvement Act." The CSIA is somewhat stronger than the ineffective law that now exists, but has notable weaknesses, including a failure to protect children and pregnant women, a lack of timetables and deadlines for implementation, and an override provision that would reverse effective policies implemented at the state level.

Webinar: Climate Change and Conflict

One of the little-discussed health effects of climate change is how it increases conflict and can lead to war. Climate change is already creating "climate refugees" and increasing social tensions, especially in the poorer nations of the world.

Join us on Wednesday, September 25 at 7:30 pm Eastern to learn about this issue and what we can do about it.

PSR Comments on EPA's Radiation Cleanup Guidelines

The EPA has implemented revised radiation Protective Action Guides (PAGs) before seeking public comment. Originally devised for a terrorist attack, these guidelines now apply to any radiological event such as a Fukushima type accident or a dirty bomb. By markedly loosening radiation water standards and not providing total radiation exposure limits, PSR is concerned that this change of standards paves the way for the nuclear industry to avoid responsibility for damage after accidents and leaks and puts the public health at risk.

We are concerned that this is an attempt to make further radiation poisoning of our environment acceptable. The relaxed standards should be withdrawn.

Fukushima Disaster: From Bad to Worse

Over two years after the earthquake and tsunami crippled the reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi complex, the situation at the reactors remains toxic and dangerous to public health as PSR and others warned.  TEPCO's patchwork fixes to cool the severely damaged reactors are starting to give way, and thousands of gallons of irradiated water are leaking, prompting Japan's nuclear regulator to declare the current state of affairs at Fukushima a Level 3 serious incident, which IAEA defines as "severe contamination."  Radioactive water readings are at their highest levels since the onset of the disaster.

Video: PSR's Dr. Andrew Kanter Speaks at UN on Nuclear Testing

Dr. Andrew Kanter, immediate past president of PSR and Co-Regional Vice President for IPPNW, was a guest panelist before an informal meeting of the UN General Assembly observing the 4th International Day Against Nuclear Testing. The topic of the panel was "Path to Zero" and Dr. Kanter presented the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons, calling for a treaty banning nuclear weapons followed by their total elimination.

US Military Action: Not the Solution to Crimes Against Humanity

PSR is very concerned that unilateral military action against Syria will undermine International law, worsen the humanitarian catastrophe, and provoke severe unintended consequences. The US should present its information to the Security Council, reconvene peace talks, and take other multilateral actions to address these serious crimes to humanity and the use of chemical weapons

Humanitarian Crisis in Syria Requires Thoughtful Action

International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, of which PSR is the U.S. affiliate, calls on all parties involved in the conflict in Syria to ensure that all stockpiles of chemical weapons are placed under verifiable safeguards. To degrade the ability for the domestic factions to wage war, IPPNW also calls on countries to cease all weapons trade with Syria and to push all parties to engage in negotiations to resolve the conflict.

PSR Launching New Chapter in Michigan

A new PSR chapter is under development in Michigan, where PSR has hired Stephanie Dernek to organize, launch and lead the new statewide chapter. Stephanie, a multi-issue organizer from Chicago, will be based in Ann Arbor, where she will be housed by the Ecology Center. Stephanie will focus initially on energy and climate-related issues, including energy efficiency and coal. Over time, she will build the chapter’s membership and its capacity to address other topics. Welcome, Stephanie!

New Report Finds Ongoing Security Vulnerabilities at Nuclear Reactors

A new Pentagon commissioned report by the Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Project (NPPP) at the University of Texas-Austin warns that civilian nuclear reactors remain vulnerable to a 9/11 style terrorist attack. PSR has been talking about these risks for many years and this new report highlights an ongoing and critical vulnerability of these "high-value" targets for terrorists.

Nuclear Neighborhoods: 11,000 Generations

PSR-Iowa is hosting an exhibit titled "Nuclear Neighborhoods: 11,000 Generations." This multi-media installation compiles artistic and scientific interpretations of our nuclear legacy and consists of art, photography, poetry, writings and memorabilia. Exhibits are running concurrently throughout August and September 2013. Don’t miss your chance to see the show that's been called "Impactful" and "Long overdue."

Florida Nuclear Power Project Cancelled

In a major victory for a green, clean energy future, Duke Energy has elected to pull the plug on its proposed Levy County nuclear project. PSR has led the efforts against this dangerous, expensive reactor. This is just a day after French nuclear giant Electricite de France (EDF) announced plans to pull out of the US nuclear market, just another sign that the 'nuclear renaissance' is a fallacy.

New Resources for Protection from “Fracking”

Hydraulic fracturing or "fracking" -- the extraction of natural gas or oil by injecting a highly pressurized mix of chemicals, water and sand deep underground -- is happening in many parts of the country. In many of those communities, people and even farm animals are exhibiting serious health effects that many associate with fracking. PSR's latest Environmental Health Policy Institute identifies some promising approaches and scientific resources to help secure policies that will protect their health.

Oregon PSR Founder Remembered

Elder Oregon PSR co-founder, Dr. Charlie Grossman died July 16, 2013.  Over his lifetime he was active in IPPNW and recipient of the Albert Schweitzer Peace Award, was on the national board of PSR and was awarded the Friendship Ambassador Award from China for his many trips and outreach between US citizens and China. Alongside his colleague Dr. Rudi Nussbaum, Dr. Grossman created Northwest Health Radiation Alliance to follow and document impacts of radiation on those who lived downwind from the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. Active up until his death, he will be remembered at the Oregon PSR Hiroshima Peace event.

PSR Expert Addresses Leaders in Israel

Dr. Ira Helfand met with members of the Knesset and other leaders in Israel to present new findings on the humanitarian impacts of nuclear weapons. As a nuclear weapons state, Israel plays a key role in negotiations over a weapons of mass destruction free zone in the Middle East as well as ongoing efforts to abolish nuclear weapons. In this video clip, Dr. Helfand and MK Feiglin debated about several issues related to the pursuit of a world free of nuclear weapons.

Do your PEACE Commemorating Hiroshima and Nagasaki

During the final stages of World War II in 1945, the United States dropped two atomic bombs decimating the cities of Hiroshima (August 6th) and Nagasaki (August 9th) in Japan. Within months of the two attacks, over 200,000 died with many more affected by blast injuries and radiation. We will not forget what happened. As we commemorate this event during the month of August, we will also take action so that history never repeats itself.

Will the “Chemical Safety Improvement Act” Offer Improvement?

U.S. law provides virtually no assurance that the manufactured products you buy are free from toxic chemicals.  Quite the contrary:  A huge number of products we use contain (and emit) toxins.  Now a bill has been introduced in Congress to provide protection.  But does it really protect us?  Are the terms of the “Chemical Safety Improvement Act” in fact too weak?  Read what leading chemical policy advocacy organizations say in our latest Environmental Health Policy Institute.

President Announces Climate Change Action Plan

Stating that “I refuse to condemn your generation and future generations to a planet that’s beyond fixing,” President Obama announced a “climate change action plan” designed to slash U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The plan would place a limit on carbon pollution from existing coal-fired power plants, multiply production of renewable energy, and increase energy efficiency. PSR supports these vital steps, which will reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions significantly while giving us cleaner air to breathe. Now is the time to voice public support for these policies.

Join PSR Webinar on Climate Change and Extreme Heat

Most years, extreme heat kills more people in the U.S. than does any other impact of climate change. Extreme heat can cause heat stroke, leading to coma and even death; increases ground-level ozone, potentially causing permanent lung damage; and increases mortality from preexisting conditions. Sign up for next Wednesday's webinar (June 26th at 7:30 pm EDT) to learn more, including how to advocate for a cool livable climate.