May 15, 2025

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Olympic Surfing at a Nuclear Waste Site and We’re Raising the Alarm

Last month, Surfer Magazine featured SLF as a source in their story exposing the shocking decision to host the LA28 Olympic surfing event at Lower Trestles, just steps from 3.6 million pounds of highly radioactive waste at San Onofre. The article quotes our founder, toxicology scientist Dr. Bart Ziegler, voicing dire concerns regarding the inadequate toxic waste storage, the site’s vulnerability to erosion and earthquakes, and the complete absence of a permanent storage or public evacuation plan.

This international spotlight confirms what we’ve long tried to warn the community: San Onofre is a national crisis that represents the lack of understanding and fear of radioactive emissions. The world will soon gather at a surf break bordering one of the most precarious nuclear waste storage sites in the country. Radioactive emissions in coastal waters are not where we want our best surfers surfing. We want our Olympians, our coastal communities, and all of our loved ones in Southern California safe. Stay connected with us for more updates, and to learn more about our Olympics campaign.

Dear Younger Generations, From a TMI Survivor

This month, filmmaker and author Jill Murphy Long shared with us a deeply personal and urgent letter to younger generations about the lifelong impact of growing up near nuclear power plants. As a teen living just outside the official evacuation zone during the 1979 Three Mile Island meltdown, Jill reflects on what she didn’t know then, but knows now: the invisible dangers of ionizing radiation, the silence that often follows nuclear accidents, and the long, slow toll on health that may take decades to surface.

Jill’s account connects the dots between her own diagnoses, her family’s illnesses, and the radioactive legacy that continues to surround communities from Pennsylvania to Southern California, and from Hanford to Trojan Park. It’s a warning, a plea, and a call to action for the younger generation to step up and advocate for our public health. 

Jill reminds us that radiation exposure is cumulative, its risks generational, and the waste it creates, forever.

AB 942 Threatens Energy Justice

Governor Newsom and Assemblymember Lisa Calderon - formerly a Southern California Edison executive - are leading a direct attack on clean energy by pushing to break nearly two million solar contracts across California. AB 942, backed by powerful utilities, would slash solar credits, impose new taxes, and strip away the 20-year net metering protections that homeowners were promised when they invested in rooftop solar. These changes threaten to strip homeowners of tens of thousands of dollars in expected savings and fundamentally weaken trust in the state’s clean energy commitments.

This proposal reflects a troubling prioritization of investor-owned utility profits over public interest. Rooftop solar has played a critical role in lowering energy costs, decentralizing energy production, and reducing reliance on polluting and waste-generating sources. Undermining solar contracts not only detriments consumer confidence, but jeopardizes California’s broader climate and energy resilience goals. There is no need to go after solar.

Cascadia Earthquake Threat Raises Red Flags for San O

A new LA Times article exposes the catastrophic potential of a “monster quake” along the Cascadia subduction zone, which could cause parts of the California coast to sink over six feet, drastically expanding flood zones and reshaping infrastructure with little warning. While the epicenter lies to our north, this study is a clear warning: coastal infrastructure like the San Onofre nuclear waste site is deeply vulnerable in the face of seismic and flooding threats, and will face real disaster if action is not taken soon enough. 



In the wake of a major quake - whether at Cascadia or in Southern California - flooding, erosion, and infrastructure failure could quickly turn a regional disaster into a far wider crisis. Do not ignore the risks.

Lunch & Learn Recap!

On April 27, we hosted our first Backyard Lunch & Learn, a powerful gathering where SoCal neighbors came together to learn about nuclear waste risks and build community. We explored topics like independent monitoring, radioactive batch releases, and how LA28 puts this issue in the spotlight.



The good news is we’re just getting started! The strong turnout showed a growing movement ready to act. More Lunch & Learns are on the way - if you’d like us to host one in your community, let us know at nadia@samuellawrencefoundation.org.

What Can YOU Do About Nuclear Waste at San Onofre?

Show Up & Speak Out

Share our message, attend events, and help grow awareness in your community.

Contact Your County Supervisor

Demand stronger oversight of waste storage in your region.

Back Your Local Leadership

Support Larry Agran’s initiative for an independent study to move the waste.

Support Federal Legislation

Back Rep. Mike Levin’s push in Congress for long-term nuclear waste solutions.

Join the Movement!

Partner with SLF in our grassroots campaign for safety and accountability.

Find a template to contact your reps here.

Or email us at admin@samuellawrencefoundation.org to get involved.

SLF is not an anti-nuclear organization. Our community strongly advocates for safe, common-sense containment of spent nuclear waste, with an objective of maintaining the health of our environment and all its inhabitants

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.

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