Tuesday, August 2, 2005
Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, mclarty@greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene@greens.org
GREENS WARN OF RISKS AS ENERGY DEPT. RESUMES PLUTONIUM 238
PRODUCTION
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Green Party members strongly
criticized an announcement from the Department of Energy that
production of plutonium 238 for batteries would be resumed at the
Idaho National Laboratory near Idaho Falls.
The program is estimated to cost as much as $1.5
billion and produce 50,000 drums of radioactive waste. Plutonium 238
hasn't been produced since the Cold War.
"The Idaho National Laboratory site is
already heavily polluted by large quantities of nuclear waste stored
carelessly over earlier decades," said Robert McMinn,
spokesperson for the Idaho Green Party. "Groundwater has been
contaminated by previous leaks, and further production and storage of
waste will magnify the danger to nearby cities and recreational areas,
including Idaho Falls, Big Lost River and the Grand Teton National
Park in Wyoming."
Greens warned that plutonium 238 is highly
radioactive and that a single particle can cause lung cancer. An
explosion or deliberate release would spread particles randomly
through the atmosphere with no advance warning or protection for
civilians.
"Many people in Idaho suffered severe health
problems from fallout from the Nevada nuclear tests conducted in the
1950s and 60s -- fallout that settled on our crops and contaminated
milk from our dairy cows," said Matthew Denney, Idaho Green
delegate to the United States. "We are not inclined to believe
the government's claims of safety. Any calculation of the cost of this
project must include evacuation, clean-up, and hospitalizations for
cancer."
Numerous accidents involving nuclear power devices
include a navigation satellite powered by plutonium 238 which broke up
over the Indian Ocean in 1964, releasing radioactive particles
throughout the atmosphere. The New Horizons space mission to Pluto
scheduled for January 2006 will use plutonium 238 to power a
generator.
"There is an increased chance of release of
nuclear material from plutonium power devices, especially during deep
space missions where so many things can go wrong," said Jody
Grage Haug, Washington State Green and co-chair of the Green Party of
the United States. "The probability of an accident resulting in a
release of plutonium during the New Horizons mission is estimated at 1
in 300, according to NASA. Are we willing to risk our health and the
health of our children and grandchildren with such terrible
odds?"
Energy Department officials claim the batteries
will be used for "national security applications," excluding
weapons, missile defense systems and military satellites, and experts
suspect that they will be used for espionage purposes. Since the
program is classified, there is no indication or oversight over how
the batteries will be used.
"The U.S. military will convert the batteries
to military use once a ready supply of plutonium 238 is
available," said Kevin Bayhouse, Secretary of the Idaho Green
Party. "If used in wartime, explosion or theft of the batteries
will contaminate people and battlefields, causing health problems
potentially even more serious than depleted uranium shells and
bombs."
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org
1711 18th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009.
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Consolidation of
Nuclear Activities Related to Production of Radioisotope Power Systems
(60-day public comment period to close August 29, 2005)
http://www.consolidationeis.doe.gov/Publications.html
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the New Horizons Mission
(comment period closed)
http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/overview/deis/draftEnvImpact.html