In the LA Times, in "Not Safe Enough", March 18, Joel Reynolds calls only for a nuclear safety review of nuclear power plants in the US, and an upgrade of reactor safety systems and emergency response plans in light of the nuclear crisis in Japan.
That's not enough.
Should a big earthquake, or one as powerful as Japan's last week, hit the nukes at nearby San Onofre, or at San Luis Obispo's Diablo Canyon, the worst could surely ensue.
A meltdown at San Onofre alone could cost a million lives in Southern California, according to government reports, keeping in mind immediate and long term cancers caused by the radiation.
And the 20% of energy we get from nuclear in California is not worth this risk. The financial cost--as we subsidize of the industry with billions by the state and nation, make the real cost of nuclear prohibitive without this backing. In these troubled financial times, a nuclear accident would bring even more havoc on our fragile economy.
While opposing nukes was perhaps once a Leftist issue, you'd think the financial cost alone of nuclear would attract the attention of erstwhile frugal Tea Party conservatives.
It's far past the time we shut these two California rectors down, and ask questions later.
act now:
http://us.greenpeace.org/goto/NoNukesLosAngeles teachins1@yahoo.com