[ RadSafe ] Activist Summit on Radioactive Waste

[Roger Helbig]

They probably don't allow any CHPs or similar radiation protection
professionals in, but if any of you are near Columbia and want to venture
into the lion's den - here is their flier - two days of probable lies about
how radioactive waste is ruining the world - I see that they intend to
screen everyone so that no one with actual education about the subject is
allowed!

What do you members know about the speakers and organizations?

Save the date -- National Activist Summit on Radioactive Waste 
May 30 -- June 1, 2008    Columbia, South Carolina


We as a community say "stop making more" radioactive waste since we
understand that the failure to find a real solution to this problem is the
failure of the technologies that produce it; 
We as a community demand responsible management of radioactive waste;
We stand firm against false "solutions;"
We reject the idea that this waste should be exported -- to Indigenous Lands
-- or anywhere else;
We call for better security and improved management and containment where
ever the waste is now;
We focus on the hazards of transporting radioactive waste and materials --
particularly in the case of irresponsible, false "solutions..."

Today the nuclear industry is trying to revive: both the electric power
nuclear generating infrastructure (with new nuclear reactors breaking out
like pox) and the move to expand the Bombplex. The military / civilian
distinction is diminishing (if there ever was one) - 
it is time for us to come together -- to find and re-affirm that "We" -- in
the sense of The People, in the sense of impacted communities -- and
essentially as activists.

This event was born in a moment at a 'break-out' session of a conference on
Precautionary Action in Greensboro, NC in November 2007 -- and is being
carried forward by a planning group* including participation from:

Bobbie Paul -- Atlanta WAND
David Kraft -- Nuclear Energy Information Service
Debbie Grinnell -- C-10
Diane D'Arrigo -- Nuclear Information and Resource Service
Glenn Carroll -- Nuclear Watch South
Janet Marsh -- Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League
Judy Treichel -- Nevada Nuclear Waste Task Force
Kevin Kamps -- Beyond Nuclear
Leslie Minerd 
Liz Veazy -- Southern Energy Network
Mary Olson -- NIRS Southeast 
Rochelle Becker - Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility 
Sara Barczak  -- Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
Sara Tansey -- South Carolina Alliance for Sustainable Campuses and
Communities
Susan Corbett -- Sierra Club, South Carolina Chapter
Tom Clements -- Friends of the Earth

*this list now also includes cosponsoring organizations -- and I am sure
more will be added -- please be in touch if your group wants to cosponsor!

The Summit will convene on the evening of Friday May 30 with an event also
promoted to the public in Columbia:  Keynote presentation by Dr. Frank von
Hippel on the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership -- with panel of discussants
including Steve Frishman, Kevin Kamps and Diane D'Arrigo to bring into focus
the new challenges we face in the arena of nuclear expansionism. 

Saturday morning our activist community will convene, get acquainted / tell
our stories. Saturday afternoon we will share information and ideas in issue
and technical break-out sessions. Saturday evening will be a combination of
time to think together and party! Sunday morning we will share our vision
and formulate messages that we can all stand behind. We will wrap up with a
Keynote presentation by Dr. Arjun Makhijani on his new Carbon Free, Nuclear
Free: A Roadmap for US Energy Policy to inspire us with real solutions.

Costs will be nominal -- we are working on having some modest support funds
to assist far-flung communities to be represented at the Summit. The site
includes dorm-style private rooms with shared baths. Food will be simple. We
are working to keep registration (with food and lodging) well under $100. 

Please drop a message to Mary Olson nirs at main.nc.us  or call 828-675-1792 if
you want to be part of this event or want to get updates. We will follow up
with a more detailed program and registration details soon.

Note: due to industry attempts to participate in recent events intended for
activists, there will be a pre-registration process. This event is open to
all who are working positively for the end of the production of more
radioactive waste (stop making it)!


Mary Olson
Southeast Regional Coordinator
NIRS Southeast Office
PO Box 7586 Asheville, NC 28802
828-675-1792    nirs at main.nc.us
http://www.nirs.org/southeast 

Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS)
6930 Carroll Ave, Suite 340, Takoma Park, MD 20912
301-270-NIRS        fax  301-270-4291        nirsnet at nirs.org
http://www.nirs.org 

NIRS affiliated with World Information Service on Energy (WISE) in 2000 --
the NIRS / WISE Network serves grassroots activists on 5 continents