February 20, 2025

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"Radioactive Russian Roulette" at San Onofre: Exposing Critical Safety Failures

Charles Langley of Public Watchdogs has exposed a critical issue that demands immediate attention: the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has granted Southern California Edison (SCE) sweeping exemptions from emergency planning and safety requirements, putting millions of lives at risk. These alarming exemptions—despite strong objections from state officials—leave the public dangerously unprotected in the event of a nuclear emergency.


The Samuel Lawrence Foundation is calling on all community members to read the article and understand the gravity of this situation. With these dangerous exemptions in place, we are vulnerable to catastrophic risks. The time to act is now—before it’s too late. Read the full article here.



Let’s make our voices heard and demand stronger safety measures to protect the health and safety of millions of Californians.

No Place Like Home: Hope, Justice, and Housing

Last week, we hosted an incredible podcast as part of the Samuel Lawrence Foundation’s "First Fridays" series, tackling the ongoing housing crisis in the U.S. With millions of people facing homelessness, housing insecurity, and displacement, the discussion delved into the systemic inequality, policy challenges, and economic pressures contributing to this growing crisis.


Our expert panel, featuring Tamar Ezer, Rob Robinson, and Senator Catherine Blakespear shared their insights on the barriers to housing reform and proposed actionable solutions. They also highlighted an often-overlooked aspect of homelessness: the role of environmental disasters. As a nonprofit advocating for nuclear waste solutions, we recognize that natural disasters, including those exacerbated by climate change, can be a key driver of displacement, further complicating the housing crisis.


This powerful conversation, now available for viewing, covers everything from grassroots advocacy and community organizing to legislative reform and international models of housing justice.


Don’t miss this thought-provoking discussion! Watch the full episode now to gain a deeper understanding of the crisis and what we can do to make a change. Tune in here!

    Watch Recording   
     Highlights on IG    

New Bill Prioritizes Nuclear Waste Management at San Onofre

A critical bill--the Spent Fuel Prioritization Act--has been reintroduced in Congress to prioritize the removal of spent nuclear fuel from sites like San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). Led by Congress members Mike Levin (D-CA), Darrell Issa (R-CA), and Young Kim (R-CA), this legislation aims to accelerate the process of removing the waste and securing a permanent storage solution.


With 3.6 million pounds of spent nuclear fuel currently stored on-site in dry casks, this bill addresses the ongoing safety and environmental concerns for surrounding communities that could be impacted by nuclear waste.  Local officials and environmental groups have long advocated for action, and this reintroduced bill represents a critical step forward.


We support this important effort to ensure the safe and timely management of nuclear waste at San Onofre. Stay tuned for updates as the bill progresses!

Introducing A New Tool: How Far Are You from Nuclear Waste at San Onofre?

We’re excited to share a powerful new tool developed by one of our talented volunteers that tracks how far you are from the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS)—home to 3.6 million pounds of nuclear waste. This interactive tool uses your location to calculate the distance between you and the nuclear waste, raising awareness of how many people are living in proximity to this hazardous site.


We encourage you to try it out and share it with others.



Check out the tool and see how far you are from nuclear waste here:

https://www.samuellawrencefoundation.org/nuclear-waste

Last Week to Watch Atomic Bamboozle for Free!

Don't miss your chance to watch Atomic Bamboozle: The False Promise of Nuclear Renaissance for FREE—available only until the end of February! This documentary takes a hard look at the nuclear industry’s promises and the real dangers of nuclear energy, especially in relation to nuclear waste. The Oregon Conservancy Foundation is offering free viewings for the entire month, and now is the last week to take advantage of this opportunity.



Watch now before it’s too late!

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/atomicbamboozle/


Help Us Fundraise for Scripps!



Did you know 70% of Californians are too busy to visit the beach? Let’s change that for the next generation of ocean conservationists. The Aburto Lab’s Conservation Leadership Program at Scripps Institution of Oceanography gives underserved high school students the chance to explore marine science and conservation careers.


Your donation will fund dive certifications for eight students through a summer program with ocean literacy workshops, dive site heat maps, and community outreach with mobile aquariums. This hands-on experience bridges the gap between opportunity and education.


We’re asking for your support in raising $5,000 to provide dive certifications and summer programming.  Your support will give students the resources to succeed. Donate today and help us get students in the water, prioritizing opportunity and our ocean. Please notate in your donation: "SIO Donation"

DONATE TODAY!

Join the Social Movemvent!

🌟 If you haven't seen our Instagram lately, check it out! We're sharing more content and previews, like the UCSD symposium and videos that expose the real dangers of the canisters at San Onofre!


💬 Like, share, and comment on our posts to amplify the message far and wide. Every interaction helps us reach more communities and drive real impact. If you don't already, follow us and help share this content!


📣 Your voice matters, and together, we can create change!

@SLFcommunity

Write Your Representative

Click HERE to email your local representatives to express your concerns and advocate for policies that safeguard our communities and environment.

Sign The Petition

Sign the petition linked HERE to support the monitoring and move of the toxic nuclear waste to a safer location.

Share This Newsletter

Please share this newsletter with your friends, family, and colleagues. Encourage them to join the SLF community to keep informed about critical issues related to nuclear safety, environmental health, and more.

Like, Share, Follow, and Subscribe

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Together, let’s create a larger impact and drive meaningful change. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to making a difference!

Write your Representative
   Be a SLF Volunteer!   

SLF READING LIST

Like these topics? Check out our "First Fridays" Series on YouTube or Spotify, where we bring together leading experts to discuss climate change, nuclear safety, environmental issues, energy solutions, and public health and wellness.

THANK YOU!

You make an impact when you support our work.

Thank you for your generosity!

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