Nuclear Failure on Environmental Justice

uclear Industry all words no action on Environmental Justice

When it comes to nuclear power reactors, we’re used to hearing about the nuclear waste created, safety issues, health effects from radiation, the high cost of building, etc.  One thing we don’t hear about is environmental justice. Environmental Justice is the skeleton in the closet when it comes to the nuclear industry.  The nuclear industry will claim the abuse of indigenous peoples and marginalized communities is all in the past, it continues to this day.

Nuclear Colonialism

Any story about nuclear power has it origins at the birth of nuclear weapons and the story of nuclear power and environmental justice is no different.  The same uranium mines that were, and still are, supplying the material for bombs now had nuclear power plant customers. A result of the increase in demand was the opening of more uranium the mining especially in Africa. And whether it was in Africa, Canada, or the United States the native population was never told of the health risks of working in the mines.  It was only years later when the effects of the exposure to radiation started to appear did the begin to raise questions.

New Industry Same as the Old Industry

Today the nuclear power advocates ares pushing to have 100s of nuclear power plants of all sizes spread throughout the United States, and to that matter the world.  What can we expect from an industry that is unwilling to recognize the damage that has been done?  The industry’s organization to promote nuclear power has a Environmental Justice statement on its website but makes no mention of the harm inflicted on indigenous peoples.  And how can we take them at their word when they downplay any ill effects from the nuclear fuel cycle.

Following are links to articles that highlight the history of the nuclear age on indigenous peoples.

Canada

Iñupiat Village of Point Hope

United States

Natives of the Columbia Basin (Washington State)

Navajo Nation

Navajo Nation: Cleaning Up Abandoned Uranium Mines | US EPA

Church Rock, America’s Forgotten Nuclear Disaster, is still Poisoning Navajo Lands 40 Years Later

Western Shoshone

Spokane Tribe

 Ute Tribe

Africa

The forgotten mine that built the atomic bomb

Desert residents pay high price for lucrative uranium mining

Australia

Uranium mines harm Indigenous people – so why have we approved a new one?

Utilities in the Northwest are in the process of planning for reducing their carbon footprint and while some are looking at energy efficiency and conservation along with renewable, others are unfortunately looking to nuclear power.  It's important we encourage those utilities seeking nuclear free options to continue down that path.  At the same time, we need to let those utilities planning on nuclear power know they need to follow a nuclear free path.  Nuclear power costs will only add to an increased costs for fixing an electric grid above and beyond what's needed for reliability.  The utilities now considering nuclear power include Clark County PUD, Grant County PUD, and Pacific Power.

Action Needed Now!