FOR RELEASE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019

Hollywood Stars, Grassroots Activists, State Senator, Mayor & Major Organizations Ask Gov. Newsom to Fully Inspect Aged Diablo Canyon Nuclear Unit One Before it Re-Fuels

Contact: Mimi Kennedy (315) 246-7333; Harvey Wasserman (614) 738-3646 – solartopia@gmail.com; Myla Reson (310) 663-7660  – myla.reson@gmail.com

Dear Gov. Newsom,

We join hundreds of other Californians, including Sen. Ben Allen and San Luis Obispo Mayor Heidi Harmon, who are calling, writing, faxing and e-mailing, asking that you take action at Diablo Canyon to protect our safety and economic future. Under PG&E’s current bankruptcy and criminal proceedings, your position gives you wide ranging powers to act.

Diablo Unit One is now shut for refueling. We feel that given the evidence of embrittlement, it is very important to halt the loading of new fuel into the reactor until the public resolution of seven critical issues:

1. Diablo One was last tested for EMBRITTLEMENT in 2003; it can now be easily tested while Unit One is shut.
2. Diablo One’s key components must be tested for CRACKING, easily done now with ultra-sound.
3. PG&E has DEFERRED ITS MAINTENANCE at Diablo since at least 2010.
4. Nuclear Regulatory Commission site inspector Michael Peck, among many others, has doubts that Diablo can withstand a credible earthquake.
5. Serious questions remain about how PG&E intends to handle Diablo’s RADIOACTIVE WASTES.
6. US Rep. Salud Carbajal has joined many others in questioning the COMPETENCE of the bankrupt, criminally-convicted PG&E to manage these two very large reactors in his home district.
7. Studies show Diablo’s POWER IS NOT NEEDED, and in fact impedes the use of renewables here in California.

We ask that BEFORE DIABLO ONE REFUELS you subject these and other critical issues to open public scrutiny. The decision on Diablo’s future must be made by you in conjunction with the Legislature, the CPUC, state agencies, the courts and the public.

We thank you very much for giving this your serious consideration. We feel this is an exciting and crucial opportunity for you to continue your groundbreaking leadership in bringing more safety, responsibility, and wise energy policy to all Californians. Let us keep showing the way to a safer (and more sustainable) energy future.

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Signatories (partial list):

Mimi Kennedy

Jane Fonda

Jodie Evans, CODEPINK

Frances Fisher

Lila Garrett

Dr. Helen Caldicott

Dianna Cohen, CEO & Co-Founder, Plastic Pollution Coalition

Susan Clark

Barbara Williams

Ed Asner

Graham Nash

Eric Roberts

Martin & Janet Sheen

Keaton & Eliza Simon

Ed Begley, Jr.

Lance Simmens

John Densmore, Drummer for the Doors

Dana Gluckstein, Chair People for A Safe Future

David Krieger, President Nuclear Age Peace Foundation (NAPF)

Sara Nichols

Nancy Stevens

Alan Weissman

Pamela Conley Ulich, former Malibu Mayor

Roger Pugliese

Tony Dow

David Braun

Dr. Peter Alsop

Alan Minsky, PDA

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Separate petitions, resolutions & other supporting letters & documents are from:

Topanga Town Council

San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace

Americans for Democratic Action (Los Angeles)

Progressive Democrats of the Santa Monica Mountains

Pacific Palisades Democratic Club

Santa Monica Democratic Club Executive Board

The Officers of the Progressive Caucus of the California Democratic Party

The Los Angeles County Democratic Party

Culver City Democratic Club

People Demanding Action Campaign:

Reach: 60,000

1,725 Letters Sent

85 phone calls

Facebook Ad Campaign:

Reach: 108,000

Impressions: 115,680

Video Views: 56,101

Join Us at MoveOn.org: 4,372; signees: 1,017

Twitter campaign:  #TestDiablo