SLF supports aggressive renewable energy expansion as the preferred path forward and seeks strategic action for the waste at San Onofre. | | Irvine Steps Up on Nuclear Waste | | |
On September 30, the City of Irvine held the region’s first public meeting focused on the high-level nuclear waste stored at San Onofre. The session, led by Mayor Larry Agran, brought together federal, industry, and community leaders, including former NRC Chair, Gregory Jaczko, and Southern California Edison, to discuss next steps for ensuring long-term safety.
SLF Program Director, Nadia Khawja, urged the Council to take action, noting that “this is about refusing to pass the burden of political and corporate gridlock onto future generations.” With strong public engagement, the meeting set the precedent for local leadership on one of California’s most urgent environmental challenges.
| | | Radioactive Water to Be Released into the Hudson River | | A federal court has overturned New York’s 2023 “Save The Hudson” law, allowing Holtec International to discharge 45,000 gallons of radioactive water from the decommissioned Indian Point nuclear plant into the Hudson River. The ruling highlights the ongoing risks of nuclear waste, the limits of state oversight, and the need for stronger, science-based protections for waterways and nearby communities. Indian Point, closed in 2021, stored decades of nuclear waste in a location vulnerable to environmental impacts. | | Bright Saver: Growing Energy Access | | |
Bright Saver's plug-in solar panels are revolutionizing clean energy access. By plugging directly into a standard outlet, users can reduce their reliance on the grid and lower energy costs, while generating their own electricity.
This innovation is particularly impactful for low-income communities, providing a pathway to energy independence and resilience. Bright Saver's mission aligns with the growing movement towards energy equity, ensuring that all households, regardless of ownership status or income, can participate in the clean energy transition.
For the first time, global solar and wind generation outpaced demand growth, pushing renewables ahead of coal in the electricity mix. This historic milestone, highlighted in Ember’s Global Electricity Mid-Year Insights 2025, shows that clean energy is the smartest way to move forward.
| | Floating Schools of Bangladesh Win UNESCO Literacy Prize | | |
Bangladesh, one of the world’s poorest and most climate-vulnerable countries, is losing an estimated acre of coastal land every 30 minutes to rising seas. We’re proud to share that the Solar-powered Floating Schools program, a program we fiscally sponsor, has been awarded the UNESCO International Literacy Prize 2025 (Confucius Prize). This recognition celebrates the program’s innovative link between education and climate resilience in flood-prone communities. Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha, the organization behind the initiative, has previously earned four UN awards for climate adaptation, biodiversity, renewable energy, and climate action.
PBS NewsHour recently featured their work in a segment on the climate crisis in Bangladesh, and Belgium’s Journal des Enfants highlighted how these solar-powered classrooms bring learning to children navigating rising waters.
| | Dance Start: Expanding Access to the Arts for San Diego’s Youth | | |
This summer, our Dance Start Program brought free dance classes to more than 300 San Diego children! Led by Megan Wasnewski and a team of dedicated instructors, the program nurtures creativity, coordination, and confidence. Parents shared heartfelt gratitude:
“This class was fantastic for my 3- and 4.5-year-old girls. They looked forward to it every week… dance classes are beyond our family budget.”
“You created a really fun class for the kids! We would love to join your classes again… my daughter is already asking when there will be another dance class!”
Dance Start is expanding through partnerships with King Chavez Neighborhood of Schools, Boys and Girls Clubs in North County, Easterseals, and Pacific Beach Recreation Center, supported by San Diego Parks and Recreation. With new instructors from San Diego State University and MiraCosta College, DanceStart continues to make the arts accessible for all.
| | Experience Oceans of Bach | | | | |
Join SLF for an unforgettable evening where music and science meet. Internationally acclaimed German pianist Danae Dörken performs an all-Bach recital, paired with insights from Scripps Institute of Oceanography, Professor Lynne Talley (The Planet’s Ocean Currents) and Professor Jeff Severinghaus (CO₂ Changes Over Time).
Date: Thursday, November 6
Time: 7-8:30 PM PT
Venue: Meeting House, First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego – Hillcrest (free parking)
Please consider a suggested donation of $25 at bit.ly/OceansofBach
| | |
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.
| | |
Copyright © 2025
Samuel Lawrence Foundation
All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
P.O. Box F, Del Mar, CA 92014, USA
Email us at:
admin@samuellawrencefoundation.org
| |  | |
Thank you for supporting the Samuel Lawrence Foundation. Your gift, of any size, makes our
programs and advocacy possible.
Click here to make a donation
View this email as a Webpage
| | | | |
