Whales WIN! The California Coastal Commission Sends PG&E Packing

Whale lovers it’s time to CELEBRATE and thank the California Coastal Commission (CCC) for protecting whales, dolphins, sea otters and a long list of other marine wildlife from the devastating impacts of a proposed seismic testing project by PG&E. Last Wednesday, the CCC voted unanimously to deny PG&E’s application to conduct seismic testing in California’s coastal waters adjacent to the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant...

The proposed seismic tests would have blasted powerful underwater air cannons every 15 seconds for 9 days decimating marine life from whales to plankton. PG&E had hoped by doing this and mapping another earthquake fault they could then claim that Diablo Canyon was safe and should have it’s operating licensee renewed. Earthquakes, oceans and nuke plants are a dangerous combination no matter how many tests they do – Fukushima – need I say more.

Nearly 60,000 of you took part on our online action and sent the CCC a message urging them to deny PG&E’s permit request. During the Commission’s deliberations they thanked the public for their comments and participation, letting us all know that they heard us and agreed with us. I too want to thank everyone who contacted the CCC. The coalition that came together to fight this insane proposal was rather amazing with whale lovers, conservationists, fishermen, native Americans and a host of others standing together telling the CCC not now, not ever, our coastal heritage both cultural and environmental is priceless and NOT to be sacrificed for one companies profits.

Several of the commissioners went on to tell PG&E that proposals like this will never be approved in California. Also that PG&E should decommission the Diablo Canyon nuke plant, shut it down permanently and start investing in green energy alternatives. I couldn’t agree more.

Whales WIN! The California Coastal Commission Sends PG&E Packing | Greenpeace Blogs

11.28 PUBLIC MEETINGS ON DIABLO CANYON

NRC TO HOLD TWO PUBLIC MEETINGS ON THE DIABLO CANYON NUCLEAR POWER PLANT ON NOV. 28

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold two public meetings on Nov. 28 to discuss topics including seismic issues and plant performance for the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant. The plant, operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), is located near San Luis Obispo, Calif.

The NRC staff will hold two open house sessions from 1-3 p.m. and 6-7 p.m. during which subject matter experts will answers questions on topics related to current plant performance and the recently issued Research Information Letter in response to PG&E’s Report on the Analysis of the Shoreline Fault Zone.

From 7-9 p.m. the panel of subject matter experts will hold a question and answer session with the public to provide information and address public comments.

Both meetings will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 333 Madonna Road, in San Luis Obispo.

In 2008, PG&E first notified the NRC about the Shoreline fault and then updated their data and analysis in early 2011. Following an Oct. 2011 site visit, the NRC review team analyzed ground motion from earthquakes the Shoreline Fault could potentially generate. All of those ground motions fell within Diablo Canyon’s existing design limits, which are based on ground motion associated with an earthquake from the larger Hosgri fault near the plant.

On Oct. 12, the NRC issued Research Information Letter 12-01, “Confirmatory Analysis of Seismic Hazard At The Diablo Canyon Power Plant From the Shoreline Fault Zone,” to communicate the results of the NRC’s analysis of PG&E’s assessment. The letter is available on the NRC web site at: http://adamswebsearch2.nrc.gov/webSearch2/main.jsp?AccessionNumber='ML121230035'.

(817) 200-1128 Lara Uselding (817) 200-1519Current performance information for Diablo Canyon Unit 1 is available on the NRC website at: http://www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/DIAB1/diab1_chart.html. Information for Unit 2 is available at: http://www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/DIAB2/diab2_chart.html. Baseline inspections are performed by two NRC Resident Inspectors assigned to the plant and by inspection specialists from the Region IV office in Arlington, Texas.

The NRC plans to videotape the question and answer session, which will be broadcast at a later date on the SLO-Span, the San Luis Obispo County government cable access channel.

http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML1231/ML12314A153.pdf

***

November 28, 2012 NRC Meeting in San Luis Obispo re: Shoreline Fault

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is coming to San Luis Obispo on Wednesday, November 28. Join the Mothers for Peace at this important meeting.

The NRC will present its assessment of Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E’s) Shoreline Fault Report, developed early in 2011. PG&E is in the midst of a 3-year study of the seismic hazards to the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant posed by many nearby earthquake faults. The Shoreline Report focuses on assurances that the plant is safe, without reference to alternate views or the levels of uncertainty in the work of its own scientists.

The topics of this meeting include:

1. “Report on the Analysis of the Shoreline Fault Zone”

On October 12, the NRC issued a letter to communicate the results of its analysis of PG&E’s assessment. The letter is available on the NRC web site at: http://adamswebsearch2.nrc.gov/webSearch2/main.jsp?AccessionNumber='ML121230035'

2. Current Diablo Canyon plant performance.

Current performance information for Diablo Canyon Unit 1 is available on the NRC website at:

http://www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/DIAB1/diab1_chart.html

Information for Unit 2 is available at:

http://www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/DIAB2/diab2_chart.html

Location: Embassy Suites Hotel, 333 Madonna Road, in San Luis Obispo.

Meeting Times:

Two Open House sessions where you can talk informally to “subject matter experts”

1-3 pm

6-7 pm

Meeting              7 – 9 pm

Come with your questions and comments.  The meeting will be broadcast at a later date on SLO-Span, so this is an opportunity to educate our community.

Read an in-depth analysis of the Shoreline Fault Report by Sherry Lewis, MFP Board Member

November 28, 2012 NRC Meeting in San Luis Obispo re: Shoreline Fault — Mothers For Peace

11.14 #SaveWhales NO SEISMIC TESTING Ca Coastal Commission Santa Monica

• Damage is likely to be so terrible that mitigation is impossible, therefore you must deny project

• Otters were tagged and implanted, with no valid permits, adding to the cumulative effects of seismic testing on the ecosystem

•  Seismic Testing will do nothing to make Diablo safer

• Results are expected to be poor due to Franciscan rock formations

•  NRC has concluded the newly discovered Shoreline Fault poses no threat to Diablo

• There are alternatives, such as studying the electromagnetic properties of rocks

• Too many whales around, even in the 'off' season!

• Core population of Harbor Porpoise lives in the kill zone, and the species could go extinct

• 26% of all Southern Sea Otters in kill zone! Also prone to exhaustion and infection, having been illegally implanted w/o permits. The otter population crashed last year, and no one knows why yet.

• No science gleaned will be trustworthy because low intensity seismic have been underway and baselines are shifted

• Seismic testing will ruin 10 years of work and science that created our new Marine Protected Areas

• Just too many uncertainties/impacts poorly understood

• Food fish will be killed, leaving marine mammals and larger fish and birds to starve, and plankton will be damaged (as it was in Peru after seismic testing) causing food fish themselves to starve

• Danger to Point Buchon SMR, Morro Bay SMR, Davidson Seamount National Marine Sanctuary

see whats up: NO SEISMIC TESTING OFF CALIFORNIA COAST TO KEEP DANGEROUS NUKES ON FAULT LINES!

facebook: Stop the Diablo Canyon Seismic Testing

CURRENT AT #OccupyNuclear :)

#Occupy Nuclear
• BLOG: http://rceezwhatsup.blogspot.com/p/occupynuclear.html
• FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OccupyNuclear
• NEWS: The #OcNuke Daily > http://tinyurl.com/OcNuke
• TWITTER: https://twitter.com/#!/search/realtime/%23OccupyNuclear
< #OcNuke #nonukes #ows

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10.29 'Witch Watch' at Hinkley Point, Somerset
http://stopnuclearpoweruk.net/content/witch-watch-hinkley-point-somerset

10.29 Chennai and Trivandrum on October 29 (?)
[check dianuke]

10.30経団連会館前抗議！ Metropolitan Coalition Against Nukes

October 30 URGENT! Protest in Front of KEIDANREN KAIKAN.Following on from the protest held on Sep 25, and Oct 16 the Metropolitan Coalition Against Nukes will once again protest against Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), a leader of the business community that continues with its unremitting pressure, for ignoring the voice of the people and largely setting back the future path toward zero nuclear power.
DATE/TIME: 10/30 (Tuesday) 6pm – 8pm (planned)PLACE: In front of Keidanren Kaikan (just outside C2b exit of Otemachi station)Organizers: Metropolitan Coalition Against Nukes

10.30 #SaveWhales NO SEISMIC TESTING San Luis Obispo Government Center
https://www.facebook.com/StopTheDiabloCanyonSeismicTesting

10.30 NRC - FOE #SanOnofre petition hearing Oct 30th to be webcast
http://t.co/BbRW0JvM
*** POSTPONED ***

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission. DATES: Week of October 29, 2012. PLACE: Commissioners’ Conference Room, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland.
STATUS: Public and Closed. ADDITIONAL ITEMS TO BE CONSIDERED:Week of October 29, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
8:55 a.m.—Affirmation Session (Public Meeting) (Tentative). Southern California Edison Co. (San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station), Docket Nos. 50–361 and 50–362–CAL, Petition to Intervene, Request for Hearing, and Stay Application (June 18, 2012) (Tentative).
This meeting will be Web cast live at
the Web address— www.nrc.gov.

10.31 UK 'From Fukushima to Reading: Public protection or public whitewash?'
http://stopnuclearpoweruk.net/content/public-meeting-fukushima-reading-public-protection-or-public-whitewash

11.1-18 see: whats up: 11.1-18 Anti-Nuclear Events in San Diego

11.3 UK Nuclear Trains Action Group stall, Brixton @StopNukePower
http://stopnuclearpoweruk.net/content/nuclear-trains-action-group-stall-brixton

11.8 NY Helen Caldicott and Bob Herbert: Loving This Planet
http://www.newschool.edu/eventdetail.aspx?id=84218

11.11 反原発1000000人大占拠 Metropolitan Coalition Against Nukes
http://coalitionagainstnukes.jp/?p=1275
https://www.facebook.com/coalitionagainstnukes.jp
@MCANjp

11.11 PARIS #AntiNuclear Protest
http://www.sortirdunucleaire75.org/
http://www.facebook.com/sortirdunucleaire75
http://yosomononet.blog.fc2.com/

11.13 Efforts to Improve Nuclear Power Safety | UCS web-based briefing
http://action.ucsusa.org/site/Survey?SURVEY_ID=17920&ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS

11.13-14 #Darlington Public hearings (registration was 10.15)
http://www.durhamregion.com/news/article/1504683--activists-call-for-better-nuclear-emergency-planning-in-durham

*** POSTPONED *** Flood of public interest prompts nuclear hearing delay - thestar.com: A flood of public interest has prompted Canada’s nuclear regulator to delay hearings into the overhaul of the Darlington nuclear station. Hearings were due to open Nov. 13 before the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission in Courtice, near Oshawa. But the commission said Friday that the hearings have been put off until Dec. 3. The delay is because of the “high number of interventions,” according to the notice. A commission spokesman said there have been 200 interventions filed, with 90 groups or individuals requesting time for oral presentations. Ontario Power Generation, which owns and runs the reactors, is proposing to give the reactors a mid-life overhaul.

11.14 #SaveWhales NO SEISMIC TESTING Ca Coastal Commission Santa Monica
https://www.facebook.com/StopTheDiabloCanyonSeismicTesting

11.14-16 Calif. Coastal Commission

11.21 INDIA Tamil Nadu and Kerala Work Boycott on World Fisheries Day

12.1-7 Buddhist March and Fast to Decommission #SanOnofre
https://www.facebook.com/events/496822053676141/

12.1-3 CHICAGO: A Mountain of Radioactive Waste 70 Years High Ending the Nuclear Age
http://www.beyondnuclear.org/home/2012/8/29/save-the-dates-a-mountain-of-radioactive-waste-70-years-high.html
< #OccupyNuclear #nonukes #antinuclear

12.3 #Darlington Public hearings


-- PETITIONS & LINKS --

VOTE NO & SHARE: whats up: Should the World Increase Its Reliance on Nuclear Energy? (WSJ)

VOTE NO + RT: Do You Support Uranium Mining in Virginia??http://poll.pollcode.com/l7xvl8

whats up: Utilities’ nuclear power plants threaten millions
http://rceezwhatsup.blogspot.com/2012/08/utilities-nuclear-power-plants-threaten.html

PETITION Nuclear Power - Too dangerous. Too expensive. Not worth it!!
http://www.change.org/petitions/nuclear-power-too-dangerous-too-expensive-not-worth-it

The Great Fallout | One Earthquake Away From a Very Bad Day
http://www.thegreatfallout.org/

-- SEISMIC TESTING / WHALE PETITIONS

Stop the Diablo Canyon Seismic Testing
facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/StopTheDiabloCanyonSeismicTesting?fref=ts

NEWS: 2,830 whales, dolphins and seals of 25 different species will be harassed
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_21665205/more-than-2-000-marine-mammals-will-be

Protect whales from dangerous seismic testing @Greenpeace
https://secure3.convio.net/gpeace/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1180

PETITION CA Coastal Commission #SaveWhales Stop Seismic Testing
http://www.change.org/petitions/california-coastal-commission-protect-whales-stop-seismic-testing-off-the-coast-of-central-california

PETITION #SaveWhales - Halt Seismic Imaging Project of CA coast
http://www.change.org/petitions/halt-the-central-coastal-california-seismic-imaging-project

*** 5 Petitions NO SEISMIC TESTING OFF CALIFORNIA COAST TO KEEP NUKES ON FAULT LINES
http://rceezwhatsup.blogspot.com/2012/10/no-seismic-testing-off-california-coast.html?spref=tw
also: The Chumash Nation is speaking out against the Diablo Canyon Seismic project off the Central Coast of California.

whats up: #OccupyNuclear

NO SEISMIC TESTING OFF CALIFORNIA COAST TO KEEP DANGEROUS NUKES ON FAULT LINES!

Nuclear seismic testing threatens wildlife in California | Greenpeace Blogs

My Greenpeace colleagues aboard our new flagship the Rainbow Warrior in the Indian Ocean shared a heartwarming experience when a frolicking group of humpback and minke whales put on quite a show. The excitement of their encounter just reverberated through their email and I can see from these photos why they were so pumped. It’s not a stretch to say these whales were happy and playful. Why wouldn’t they be as the entire Indian Ocean is a whale sanctuary where they can live in peace? What a contrast this is to other parts of the world where whales not only don’t have protections but face a myriad of direct threats from humans. One huge emerging threat to whales, dolphins and other marine wildlife is happening now in the coastal waters of California... (more)

SIGN THE PETITION

*** ALERT ***

11.14 #SaveWhales

NO SEISMIC TESTING :: Ca Coastal Commission, Santa Monica

https://www.facebook.com/StopTheDiabloCanyonSeismicTesting

on facebook seeStop the Diablo Canyon Seismic Testing and C.O.A.S.T - Citizens Opposing Acoustic Seismic Testing

• another petition:

California Coastal Commission: Protect Whales~ Stop Seismic Testing off the Coast of Central California! (change.org)

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) is posed to conduct seismic testing in a grid pattern over a large area off the Central Coast of California from Cambria to the Santa Maria River. Tests could begin as early as September 2012 and last until the end of the year. The research ship would emit blasts of very loud noise into the ocean. Streamers four or five miles long would be towed behind the vessel, which would pick up the sound waves as they penetrate several miles into the Earth’s crust and reverberate back to the surface...

• another petition:

Petition | Halt the Central Coastal California Seismic Imaging Project | Change.org

The goal of the seismic imaging project is to attempt to measure the three major earthquake fault lines which run along our coast. The existence of these fault lines, especially after the continuing disaster at Fukushima, Japan, call into question the advisability of maintaining the Diablo Canyon nuclear power facility, operating near Avila.

•  another petition:

Protect Central Coast Wildlife from Seismic Testing - Sierra Club
Protect Our Marine Wildlife and Fisheries from Seismic Testing

This November, PG&E plans to begin the seismic testing program required by regulators to determine whether the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant can continue to operate safely.Environmental reviews for this project have already found “significant and unavoidable” impacts on marine life like whales and porpoises. Previous seismic testing has even been linked to whale strandings, disorientation in marine mammals, and fish kills.Seismic testing could also have devastating effects on our fisheries and local economies. Local fisherman will not be allowed to work in waters while they are being surveyed and the noise could threaten rockfish, a lucrative species for central coast fishermen.Tell the California Coastal Commission to require PG&E to fully account for and minimize all threats to our marine wildlife from seismic testing.

• and another petition:

Petitioning Central Coast District Office
 Protect Sea Life, Sacred Chumash Cultural Sites, and Religious Beliefs from Seismic Testing.

Chumash Alliance Against Diablo Canyon Seismic Testing

Diablo Canyon Power Plant also known as PG&E is attempting to get approval for 3D Geophysical Seismic Testing.  If approved Marine Life living between Point Buchon and Guadalupe will be under seriouse attack by Air Cannons booming 250 decibles into 580 square nautical miles of the ocean.  These powerful Air Cannons will blast every 10 to 20 seconds for 42 days straight.  These booms will travel into the water and 10 miles into the earth's crust, destroying fragile and sensitive Sacred Chumash Cultural Sites.  These blasts are so powerful that PG&E suggests fisherman, divers, kayakers, boaters (including our tomol paddlers), and surfers remain out of the water due to cause of illness and even death.  In PG&E's own Environmental Impact Report it states a large list of animals that will be killed and the negative impact on submerged Chumash Cultural Resource Sites.


NEWS
Chumash Nation speaks out against seismic testing off California coast

The Chumash Nation is speaking out against the Diablo Canyon Seismic project off the Central Coast of California.

The California-based energy company Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) wants to carpet bomb approx. 580 square nautical miles of sea floor with powerful Air Cannons that will blast every 10 to 20 seconds for 42 days straight.

The Chumash warn that these 260db sonic blasts, which will travel through the water and 10 miles into the earth's crust, will devastate the local marine ecosystem and possibly destroy fragile and sensitive Sacred Chumash Cultural Sites.

PG&E itself suggests that fisherman, divers, kayakers, boaters (including our tomol paddlers), and surfers remain out of the water during the tests due to the possibility of illness and even death. PG&E's Environmental Impact Report also lists a number of animals that will be unavaoidably impacted... (more)

see also Citizens Opposing Acoustic Seismic Testing • Actions

SEE ALSO: what next: Will the Federal Agency Charged with Protecting Whales and Dolphins Stand Up to the Navy? | Zak Smith's Blog | Switchboard, from NRDC

Petitions | California Coastal Commission: Protect Whales~ Stop Seismic Testing off the Coast of Central California! | Change.org

UPDATE: November 2012 - Victory!

From Save The Whales 

BREAKING NEWS NOVEMBER 14, 2012:

The California Coastal Commission just voted to DENY PG&E's application for seismic testing off the Central Coast of California! THANK YOU to everyone who signed our petition objecting to the project. Thousands of animals will not be maimed, deafened, or killed. It's a GREAT victory!

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) is posed to conduct seismic testing in a grid pattern over a large area off the Central Coast of California from Cambria to the Santa Maria River. Tests could begin as early as September 2012 and last until the end of the year. The research ship would emit blasts of very loud noise into the ocean. Streamers four or five miles long would be towed behind the vessel, which would pick up the sound waves as they penetrate several miles into the Earth’s crust and reverberate back to the surface. 

Tests would last for 24 hours and would kill or injure marine mammals, including whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and otters. A deaf marine mammal is a dead one as this is the sense they rely on to communicate, navigate and find food. Seabirds and other species such as endangered sea turtles, could be affected as well, with little or no way of mitigating the impacts. Great potential harm is highly possible to the small population of harbor porpoises in the Morro Bay area. They are most sensitive to loud man-made sound and the mammal most vulnerable to habitat abandonment and to hearing loss. 


PG&E’s position is that the tests are necessary to map the ocean floor so geologists can better understand the earthquake faults near Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant, close to San Luis Obispo, California. Earthquake faults were known at the time the plant was built. PG&E states these tests are essential in the aftermath of the Fukushima earthquake and subsequent tsunami, and the potential for a nuclear disaster. 


If an earthquake happened within the near future, what could be done to ensure that the Diablo Canyon plant would not have a meltdown? How will these tests prevent that scenario? The nuclear plant was constructed knowing that faults were nearby and that earthquakes were a potential danger. Wouldn’t it make more sense to spend the millions of dollars the tests will cost to instead begin plans to shut down the plant and find ways to shift to safe energy? Wouldn’t this be wiser than destroying untold numbers of animals within a Marine Protected Area, particularly when the necessary safeguards have not been implemented?

> Petition | California Coastal Commission: Protect Whales~ Stop Seismic Testing off the Coast of Central California! | Change.org

The blue whales, humpback whales, sea otters, dolphins and porpoises living off of California’s central coast are at serious risk of coming under attack from deadly seismic testing.

An energy company called Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) is trying to get approval to continue operating a dangerous nuclear power plant that sits at the intersection of multiple earthquake fault lines. It is hoping a map of the Shoreline Fault’s deeper regions will help with the approval process.

The testing proposal calls for powerful air cannons to shoot deafening underwater explosions every 13 seconds for 42 straight days to create a 3D map of the sea floor in an area that California has set aside as a marine reserve. According to one local official, the testing would "cleanse the Point Buchon State Marine Reserve of all living marine organisms." We can’t let that happen.

Tell the California Coastal Commission to block PG&E’s reckless seismic testing plan and to protect the blue whales, humpback whales and other creatures that call the Pacific coast of the United States home.

> Protect whales from dangerous seismic testing - Greenpeace