[WestMALocals] GPUS Press Release - Greens blast Energy Dept.'s plutonium 238 plan

[kate harris]

GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org

For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, August 2, 2005

Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, mclarty at greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene at greens.org

GREENS WARN OF RISKS AS ENERGY DEPT. RESUMES PLUTONIUM 238 PRODUCTION

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Green Party members strongly criticized an announcement 
from the Department of Energy that production of plutonium 238 for 
batteries would be resumed at the Idaho National Laboratory near Idaho Falls.

The program is estimated to cost as much as $1.5 billion and produce 50,000 
drums of radioactive waste.  Plutonium 238 hasn't been produced since the 
Cold War.

"The Idaho National Laboratory site is already heavily polluted by large 
quantities of nuclear waste stored carelessly over earlier decades," said 
Robert McMinn, spokesperson for the Idaho Green Party. "Groundwater has 
been contaminated by previous leaks, and further production and storage of 
waste will magnify the danger to nearby cities and recreational areas, 
including Idaho Falls, Big Lost River and the Grand Teton National Park in 
Wyoming."

Greens warned that plutonium 238 is highly radioactive and that a single 
particle can cause lung cancer.  An explosion or deliberate release would 
spread particles randomly through the atmosphere with no advance warning or 
protection for civilians.

"Many people in Idaho suffered severe health problems from fallout from the 
Nevada nuclear tests conducted in the 1950s and 60s -- fallout that settled 
on our crops and contaminated milk from our dairy cows," said Matthew 
Denney, Idaho Green delegate to the United States.  "We are not inclined to 
believe the government's claims of safety. Any calculation of the cost of 
this project must include evacuation, clean-up, and hospitalizations for 
cancer."

Numerous accidents involving nuclear power devices include a navigation 
satellite powered by plutonium 238 which broke up over the Indian Ocean in 
1964, releasing radioactive particles throughout the atmosphere.  The New 
Horizons space mission to Pluto scheduled for January 2006 will use 
plutonium 238 to power a generator.

"There is an increased chance of release of nuclear material from plutonium 
power devices, especially during deep space missions where so many things 
can go wrong," said Jody Grage Haug, Washington State Green and co-chair of 
the Green Party of the United States.  "The probability of an accident 
resulting in a release of plutonium during the New Horizons mission is 
estimated at 1 in 300, according to NASA.  Are we willing to risk our 
health and the health of our children and grandchildren with such terrible 
odds?"

Energy Department officials claim the batteries will be used for "national 
security applications," excluding weapons, missile defense systems and 
military satellites, and experts suspect that they will be used for 
espionage purposes.  Since the program is classified, there is no 
indication or oversight over how the batteries will be used.

"The U.S. military will convert the batteries to military use once a ready 
supply of plutonium 238 is available," said Kevin Bayhouse, Secretary of 
the Idaho Green Party.  "If used in wartime, explosion or theft of the 
batteries will contaminate people and battlefields, causing health problems 
potentially even more serious than depleted uranium shells and bombs."

MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org
1700 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 404
Washington, DC 20009.
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193

Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Consolidation of 
Nuclear Activities Related to Production of Radioisotope Power Systems 
(60-day public comment period to close August 29, 2005)
http://www.consolidationeis.doe.gov/Publications.html

Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the New Horizons Mission (comment 
period closed)
http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/overview/deis/draftEnvImpact.html


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