Press Release Archive
This is an archive of prior CBG press releases, newer press releases can be found under the categories menu, or by using the search function.
Recent Releases
Older Releases
San Onofre Nuclear Reactors
In January 2012, reactors 1 and 2 at the San Onofre nuclear power facility were shut down after a leak from one of the thousands of thin, tightly packed tubes that transfer heat from radioactive water to produce steam to turn the plant’s electricity turbines.
September 12, 2012: SAN ONOFRE: STUDY QUESTIONS SAFETY OF RESTARTING EITHER UNIT 2 OR 3. Hundreds of Times More Damaged Tubes in Either Reactor Than Typical for New Replacement Steam Generators
Nuclear Terrorism
In the post-9/11 world, terrorism at our nation’s nuclear facilities has emerged as an important public safety issue. CBG has been working to push the federal government to implement rigorous security policies so our nation’s nuclear facilities are safe from terrorism.
May 1, 2003: NRC Publishes Proposed Rulemaking to Protect Reactors from Air Attack
January 28, 2005: Attorneys General Request Increased Defenses At Nuclear Reactors up to 9/11 Prevention Standards.
January 3, 2006: Department of Homeland Security Issues Grossly Lax Dirty Bomb Cleanup Guidance: “A Nuclear Katrina in the Making.”
January 31, 2006: “A Nuclear Katrina in the Making,” Department of Homeland Security’s Lax Dirty Bomb Cleanup Standards
January 29, 2007: NRC Denies Adequate Protection for Reactors
Santa Susana Field Laboratory
CBG has worked with community leaders for over thirty years to obtain a full cleanup of the SSFL facility, where several nuclear and chemical incidents over years caused widespread contamination throughout the facility’s grounds.
May 1, 2001: Agencies to Announce Breaking Promises Regarding Cleanup of Contaminated Rocketdyne Nuclear Site
May 15, 2001: Documents Released Showing at Current Treatment Rates, it Will Take 50,000 Years to Clean Up Groundwater at Rockedtdyne Site
July 19, 2004: Public Health Groups Announce Plans to Sue Energy Department for Failing to Clean up Simi Valley, California, Nuclear Site
August 2, 2004: Boeing Water Pollution Permit Appealed
October 21, 2004: Conservation Groups, joined by L.A. City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, Sue Bush Administration Over Contaminated Santa Susana Nuclear Meltdown Site
February 21, 2006: Clean Water Act Suit Filed Against Boeing
undated: Bush Administration Proposes (Again) to Slash Cleanup Budget for Rocketdyne Site
Radioactive Scrap Metal
The Federal Government for many years had a policy of allowing radioactively contaminated scrape metals to be recycled into consumer products. CBG has been on the forefront of the fight to make sure radioactively contaminated metals do not make their way into consumer products–like spoons and watches.
The following document is available in .pdf format.
July 13, 2000: DOE Suspends Release of Radioactively Contaminated Metals from Nuclear Sites, Pledges to Bar Recycling into Consumer Goods
November 10, 2004: 5 Groups Sue Dept. of Transportation for New Rules that Allow Nuclear Waste to Move Unregulated, Unmarked
Perchlorate
Perchlorate standards in the United States are a favorite target of the degregulation community. CBG has worked hard to raise public awareness on this important health issue.
March 11, 2004: Schwarzenegger Administration Fails Important Environmental Test Bows to Industry on Perchlorate Drinking Water Standard
Nuclear Deregulation
Nuclear energy is one of the most dangerous technologies known to man. The industry has nonetheless made concerted efforts to deregulate the industry, leaving gaps in security, safety, and contamination.
1993: Boxer Calls on Babbitt to Demand Full and Fair Ward Valley Hearing, Cites Concerns About Hearing Process & Issues
December 7, 1995: Clinton Cites Ward Valley Land Transfer as Key Reason for Budget Veto
February 1, 1996: Committee to Bridge the Gap Releases Letter to Interior Department and Report on Contamination at Beatty, Nevada, Nuclear Dump
April 29, 1996: California Waste Generators’ Access to Nuclear Dump Assured by South Carolina Supreme Court Ruling
March 9, 1998: Leakage Outside Nevada Waste Site Found to Be Far More Widespread Than Previously Thought; Situation Worsening
March 28, 2000: Court of Federal Claims Throws Out US Ecology Ward Valley Suit
October 12, 2008: New Yucca Rule Would Allow Equivalent of 1700 Chest Xrays Over a Lifetime
October 30, 2008: Bush EPA Plans For Dramatically Relaxing Radiation Protection Before Leaving Office
January 21, 2009: Radiation Exposure Limits Weakened in Departing Bush Move, Huge Hikes in Allowable Radioactivity in Drinking Water, Air and Soil
Ward Valley
For many years, CBG was deeply involved in the effort to prevent the construction of a nuclear waste dump in the Ward Valley area of California, near the Colorado River. Ultimately, through the hard work of CBG and other organizations, the proposed facility was scraped by government officials, a victory for the environment.
July 21, 1992: Radioactive Waste Dump Supporters “Cowardly” in Suit to Block Hearing on Safety of Proposed Dump, Critics Charge
July 31, 1992: Intervention Motions Filed to Oppose Dump Contractor’s Attempt to Prevent Hearing on Proposed Nuclear Waste Site
October 15, 1992: Illinois Nuclear Dump Project Rejected After Adjudicatory Hearing
November 21, 1992: Wilson Administration Decision to Join Waste Generators and Dump Operator in Suit to Stop Promised Hearing Outrages Dump Opponents
August 11, 1993: Committee to Bridge the Gap Response to Sec. Babbitt’s Demand that Gov. Wilson Hold Promised Ward Valley Adjudicatory Hearing
September 16, 1993: CBG’s Dan Hirsch Makes Statement Regarding Governor Wilson’s Announcement That He Is Issuing the Ward Valley License Today, Will Hold a Hearing Later
October 15, 1993: Groups Sue to Stop Ward Valley Radioactive Waste Facility
November 24, 1993: Sec. Babbitt Suspends Ward Valley Land Transfer
May 11, 1995: Statement of Daniel Hirsch, President, Committee to Bridge the Gap, on The National Academy of Sciences Ward Valley Report
October 31, 1995: Secret Government Data Revealed Showing Radioactive Wastes Leaking at US Ecology Nevada Nuclear Dump
February 1, 1996: Committee to Bridge the Gap Releases Letter to Interior Department and Report on Contamination at Beatty, Nevada, Nuclear Dump
March 28, 2000: Court of Federal Claims Throws Out US Ecology Ward Valley Suit
July 13, 2000: Secretary Richardson Suspends Release of Materials from DOE Facilities
November 14, 2000: U.S. Appeals Court Rejects Ward Valley Radioactive Waste Dump Appeal