Let's not roll nuclear dice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2012
2:22 PM
   

CONTACT: Friends of the Earth

Bill Walker, (510) 759-9911
Lets Not Roll the Nuclear Dice
New TV spot charges that Edisons reactor restart plan gambles with Southern Californians safety

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - October 5 - Southern California Edisons controversial plan to restart one of the damaged San Onofre nuclear reactors is rolling the nuclear dice -- a dangerous experiment that gambles with the safety of millions in Southern California.

Thats the blunt message of a new 30-second TV spot from Friends of the Earth that begins running today on cable TV systems in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties.

The ad premieres just one day after Edison asked the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to let it restart one of San Onofres crippled reactors and run it at reduced power, despite the fact that Edison has made no repairs since the plant was shut down after a leak of radioactive steam eight months ago. The ad, produced by Wild Bunch Media of Washington, D.C., will air a total of 126 times from Oct. 5 to Oct. 11.

The script:

    Rolling the nuclear dice.

    Thats what Southern California Edison wants to do by restarting the San Onofre nuclear plant.

    A dangerous radiation leak caused an emergency shutdown. Now, Edison wants to restart the plant at reduced power despite the fact San Onofre is still broken.

    Even at reduced power San Onofre is dangerous. Edison is putting profits over safety -- ignoring better energy sources.

    Dont let Edison gamble with your safety.

The message of the ad echoes the findings of a poll by David Binder Research of 700 registered voters in Edisons service area. Fifty-eight percent of respondents said the plant should remain shut and its power replaced with safe, renewable energy sources. Almost half said they believe Edison is putting profits ahead of safety.

To view the ad on YouTube: http://www.savetubevideo.com/?v=IrNCiN9kCR4 

To view the poll results: http://libcloud.s3.amazonaws.com/93/22/d/2476/1/DBR_San_Onofre_Survey_Results.pdf
###

Friends of the Earth is the U.S. voice of the world's largest grassroots environmental network, with member groups in 77 countries. Since 1969, Friends of the Earth has fought to create a more healthy, just world.