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Diablo Canyon Poses Environmental and Terrorist Risks; Bush Administration Turns a Blind Eye to Serious Threats

Case Updates:

October 17, 2005

The Diablo Canyon power plant is a stunning example of the dangers posed by nuclear power, radioactive waste, and potential terrorist threats to our nation. The plant has been marred by a troubling history including a revocation of its operating license, and now its parent company is planning to build an above ground nuclear waste storage facility because its liquid storage pools will soon reach full capacity. However, the proposed waste facility is highly vulnerable to a host of threats, including an earthquake—a fault lies less than three miles away—and acts of terrorism. Local residents fear this increased risk and point to a clear lack of public transparency and opportunities to comment on the dangerous proposal. In response, Sierra Club teamed up with local Mothers for Peace to challenge the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s approval of the storage facility because they did not consider all of the potential threats as required by law. On October 17, Club lawyers and local activists went back to courtroom for oral argument in a federal appeals court. Read a news account of the hearing below and stay tuned for details about the court’s decision.

March 19, 2004

The Bush administration has refused to address terrorism risks for its proposed approval of expanded nuclear waste storage at the Diablo Canyon nuclear complex in San Luis Obispo. The Sierra Club and several allies, including the local group Mothers for Peace, have filed a series of legal actions challenging the Bush administration to provide for real homeland security by addressing these risks. The Bush administration has come under increasing criticism by nuclear and security experts who contend that the federal government has not done enough to address terrorism risks at nuclear facilities. Those concerns are magnified by a lack of accountability the possible conflict of interest presented by the Bush administration's clearly stated goals of expanding nuclear power and storage capabilities in the U.S.

January 4, 2004

In mid-November, the Club filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s approval of an amended nuclear license that allows the construction and operation of a long-term nuclear waste storage facility at the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant near San Luis Obispo, California. The September 11, 2001 disaster brought attention to the vulnerability of nuclear power plants as terrorist targets. President Bush has warned that nuclear plants are on terrorists’ short-lists and has repeatedly promised that the government will do everything in its power to protect U.S. citizens. Despite these promises, the Bush Administration refuses to take an in-depth look at the serious threat posed by storing waste at the Diablo facility. If successful, this lawsuit will force the Administration to implement additional measures to make the plant less vulnerable to an attack.

Details and Documents:

Suit over nuclear waste site; States, groups want dump shut until terrorist risk studied
October 18, 2005, by Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle

Sierra Club alleges terrorism risks at Diablo Canyon nuke plant
March 16, 2004, by Terence Chea, San Diego Union Tribune

Activist groups sue over terror risks at nuke plant
March 2004, Kansas City Star

Sierra Club alleges terrorism risks at California's Diablo Canyon
March 16, 2004, WTEV, FL

Sierra Club alleges terrorism risks at Diablo Canyon nuke plant
2004, Contra Costa Times