[Sustain] Urgent Action: Stop Nukes In Senate Climate Bill

[Eric Brooks]

*Nuclear Information and Resource Service* 
<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=jfAv9IZroBPsJwQ3DHBUOeTGzrcjVfvR> 

*ACT NOW!** TELL YOUR SENATORS:
NO NUKES IN CLIMATE BILL,
NO CLIMATE BILL WITH NUKES*

July 16, 2009

Dear Friends,

The Senate Environment Committee is delaying work on its climate bill 
until September. But there is plenty going on now--both publicly and 
behind-the-scenes. And the news isn't good.

Some Republicans are pushing for their own climate and energy plan. It 
calls for $50 billion more in taxpayer loan guarantees for new reactor 
construction; a doubling of taxpayer spending on dangerous reprocessing 
technologies, and a formal Congressional intent to build 100 new 
reactors in the next 20 years!

This would make the bailout of the auto industry seem like penny-ante 
poker. Indeed, a recent study by an economic analyst at the University 
of Vermont 
<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=ZWzpBYkD%2B%2FARQNP7OXpKxeTGzrcjVfvR> 
/finds that building 100 new reactors would cost from $1.9 to $4.1 
trillion more than getting our electricity from clean renewable energy 
sources/.

The Republican plan won't pass; yet too many Democrats seem willing to 
compromise on nuclear power in order to get a climate bill passed.

*We need to act now, while decisions are being made in private. Please 
write your Senators here 
<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=5T2ZlU%2B5ufpJtOIf%2B7tIeOTGzrcjVfvR>*, 
and tell them that a climate bill that provides taxpayer subsidies to 
nuclear power would not only be ineffective at reducing carbon 
emissions, it would be unacceptable.

*But that's not going to be enough.* We all need to ramp up our 
outreach, get the word to all of our mailing lists, e-mail lists, blogs, 
social networking sites, radio talk shows, letters-to-the-editor and so 
forth. *Please do everything you can to spread the news* that the Senate 
climate bill is in danger of being hijacked by the nuclear power industry.

*And please support our campaign with your most generous donation so we 
can do the kind of outreach and mobilization needed. * 
<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=goSFUIW8gqABRSSjx%2BQ35OTGzrcjVfvR>

We've won twice this year already--defeating efforts to give the nuclear 
industry another $50 billion in loan guarantees. But this is going to be 
our biggest challenge yet.

Many of those supporting nuclear expansion say they won't support any 
kind of climate bill anyway! So why should those in favor of taking 
necessary steps to reduce carbon emissions even think of compromising on 
nuclear power?

*They shouldn't, and if they hear from enough of us, they won't*. But 
they have to hear from every one of us--and then a lot more.

Don't forget that the Senate energy bill--which is slated to be folded 
in to the climate bill this Fall--sets up a new "Clean Energy 
Development Administration (CEDA)," with the power to give unlimited 
taxpayer loan guarantees for new reactors. That bill was sponsored by 
Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM)--and it's just as unacceptable as the 
Republican plan. This provision, along with reprocessing funding, must 
not become part of the climate bill.

Here is a link to a new fact sheet 
<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2FQCWaFEuAKiKcL95bE%2BqXuTGzrcjVfvR> 
from Physicians for Social Responsibility comparing the CEDA provisions 
in the Senate energy bill and the recently-passed House climate bill.

We need to build our strength and show our strength, now and throughout 
the summer and fall.

**The first step is to write your Senators here. 
<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=9ykLcCs0zPDLQGaJOqN%2Bt%2BTGzrcjVfvR>*

**The next step is to support us financially if at all possible 
<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=FwPEFZUqp%2BwX2fNZX5%2B3wuTGzrcjVfvR>.*

**The third step is--if you haven't already--send a letter to President 
Obama* urging him to stand firm against Senate efforts to spend taxpayer 
money on nuclear power. You can do so here 
<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=ZgEUoORDgY3i4gz4AeMZM%2BTGzrcjVfvR>.

**Next, if you haven't yet signed the Simple Statement on Nuclear Power 
and Climate, do so here 
<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=s2MCgby9P4u18wh%2B2grfc%2BTGzrcjVfvR>*. 
If your friends haven't signed, ask them to. More than 10,000 people 
already have signed--but it will be a lot more effective if we can 
greatly increase that number!

**Now, forward this alert to everyone and anyone who might be 
interested*. With all of us working and mobilizing together, we can stop 
this nuclear nonsense and begin building an energy policy for our 
future, one that is nuclear-free and carbon-free. Our lives, our 
children and our planet are at stake.

Here's one more quick link 
<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=lyQprHaCmb1Qsd9lrmRauOTGzrcjVfvR>: 
to a /Science Daily/ article about a new Swedish study that finds 
nuclear power's contribution to global warming has been signficantly 
underestimated--not because of nuclear's carbon emissions, but because 
of its heat emissions. *There is really no choice: we can have nuclear 
power, or we can fight climate change. We can't do both. So we must act 
now*.

We will keep you informed throughout the summer and fall about 
developments on the climate bill and proposals for new nuclear 
subsidies. Watch for our blogs on DailyKos and other sites. We'll send 
new Alerts when you can take new, effective action. We'll also be doing 
sample letters-to-the-editor, talking points for the next national 
call-in day, and more.

But please feel free to contact us any time if you'd like more 
information. You can e-mail us at nirsnet at nirs.org 
<mailto:nirsnet at nirs.org>, or call us at 301-270-6477.

Thanks for all you do,

Michael Mariotte

Executive Director

Nuclear Information and Resource Service

nirsnet at nirs.org <mailto:nirsnet at nirs.org>

www.nirs.org 
<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=wpCsyKZE3pT%2Fm85Qi4Jlk%2BTGzrcjVfvR>

*P.S. We'll end on a very positive note!* Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal are 
teaming up for a nationwide tour this summer.  $1 of every ticket sold 
will be donated to progressive organizations, including NIRS. You can 
find out more about the tour, and--importantly--*vote* for which 
category of organization should receive this money, by going here 
<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=4d5RfpTTY8gV3R3BT7ZeKulk3TYVT3fW>.

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