News

First-of-its-kind testing shows weed-killer found in people across Europe

Adam Russell — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:47:54 -0400

Monsanto's Roundup chemical linked to breast cancer cell growth

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Test results released last week reveal that people across Europe are contaminated with world’s best selling weed-killer, glyphosate. The unprecedented tests, commissioned by Friends of the Earth Europe, found the herbicide in 44 percent of volunteers in 18 European countries. [1] Neither the U.S. government nor the European Union track glyphosate levels in people, despite its widespread use, so these test results show for the first time that there may be widespread presence of glyphosate in the general population.

The biggest producer of glyphosate is U.S. biotech giant Monsanto [NYSE: MON], which sells it under the brand name “Roundup,” in combination with other chemical ingredients.

“The presence of glyphosate and a glyphosate breakdown product in people suggests that many Europeans are exposed to the world’s most widely used herbicide. Further evaluation of the ingredient glyphosate would be wise, as well as the Roundup product, especially since the herbicide is used so pervasively in U.S. farm fields, schools, parks and homes,” said Emily Marquez, PhD, endocrinologist and staff scientist with Pesticide Action Network North America.

A study published June 8 in the peer-reviewed journal Food and Chemical Toxicology suggests that low levels of glyphosate can induce growth in estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells, adding to the growing body of evidence raising concerns about widespread, chronic low-level exposures to Roundup. [2]

“This new information is a warning bell telling us that we need to know more about how this weed-killer is polluting people and what the health consequences are of repeated, low level exposures to this potential hormone disruptor, particularly for vulnerable populations like women of childbearing age and children.” said Lisa Archer, Food and Technology program director of Friends of the Earth U.S. “Friends of the Earth is calling on governments around the world to ramp up investigations on the safety of Roundup and its presence in people and restrict its use until it is proven safe to ensure people and the environment are put before the interests of a Monsanto and other chemical corporations.”

Glyphosate is one of the most widely-used weed killers in the world, and its use is increasing in the United States due to the extensive use of genetically engineered crops. Weeds and insects in the nation’s agricultural fields are now resistant to glyphosate and Monsanto’s pervasive Roundup Ready products, causing farmers to use increasing amounts of glyphosate as well as even more toxic pesticides such as 2,4-D and dicamba. According to a peer-reviewed study published in 2012 in Environmental Sciences Europe, genetically engineered crops have increased pesticide use by 404 million pounds in the United States since they were introduced in 1996. [3]

Two 2011 U.S. Geological Service peer-reviewed studies revealed that glyphosate use is so widespread that it is commonly found in rain and rivers in agricultural areas. [4]

“What’s happening in the U.S. should be a cautionary tale for the rest of the world. GE crops in the U.S. are creating a scourge of super-weeds and super-bugs that are keeping us on a pesticide treadmill, driving up the use of more hazardous pesticides. The new tests show that Roundup contamination may be widespread in people across Europe, and due to the heavy use of GE crops here in the U.S., our population is likely also being exposed at higher rates,” said Marcia Ishii-Eiteman, PhD, senior scientist at Pesticide Action Network North America.

Herbicide-tolerant and Bt-transgenic crops are the dominant crops grown in the United States covering roughly half of cropland -- roughly 95 percent of soybean and cotton acres, and more than 85 percent of corn acres. [5] In Europe, GE crops have been largely rejected, with only one GE crop grown commercially. However, 14 applications to grow glyphosate resistant crops are in the pipeline and a 2012 study predicts glyphosate use will increase by up to 800 percent in the EU if these crops are put into production. [6]

This recent study comes amid a spate of bad news for the poorly regulated biotechnology industry. Recent developments include:

The discovery of an experimental strain of Monsanto’s genetically-engineered glyphosate-resistant wheat in an Oregon farm has caused Japan and Korea to block U.S. wheat exports -- threatening billions of dollars of income for U.S. farmers. The genetically engineered wheat was grown in open field trials between 1998 and 2005 but has never been approved or marketed. [7]

A peer-reviewed long-term feeding study published June 11 in Organic Systems Journal found that pigs fed a combination of genetically modified soy and corn suffer more frequent severe stomach inflammation and enlargement of the uterus than those fed a non-GE diet.

Also last week, Connecticut became the first state in the United States to require labeling for genetically engineered foods. The bill will go into effect only after other states pass similar laws. This November, Washington State will vote on a ballot initiative to require labeling of genetically engineered foods in that state.

On May 29, Friends of the Earth U.S. announced that major supermarkets including Target, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Aldi, Giant Eagle and others -- totally more than 4,000 stores -- have agreed to not sell genetically engineered salmon if it is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

A peer-reviewed study published the same day in the Proceedings of the Royal Society, provides evidence that genetically engineered salmon can breed with wild trout, creating offspring that grow even faster that GE salmon and can outcompete wild fish.

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Contact:
Lisa Archer, Friends of the Earth U.S.: 510-900-3145, larcher@foe.org
Paul Towers, Pesticide Action Network North America: 916-216-1082, ptowers@panna.org
Adrian Bebb, Friends of the Earth Europe: + 49 1 609 490 1163, adrian.bebb@foeeurope.org

Notes:

[1] Friends of the Earth Europe test summary, test results, methodology and all background briefing papers: http://foeeurope.org/weed-killer-glyphosate-found-human-urine-across-Europe-130613

[2] Thongprakaisang S et al (2013) Glyphosate induces human breast cancer cells growth via estrogen receptors Food Chem Toxicol. 2013 Jun 8. pii: S0278-6915(13)00363-3. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2013.05.057. [Epub ahead of print] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23756170. For more information on glyphosate and Roundup safety, see Friends of the Earth Europe briefing: Growing doubts about the safety of glyphosate (briefing 3) http://foeeurope.org/sites/default/files/press_releases/foee_3_growing_doubts_glyphosate.pdf

[3] Reuters story “Pesticide use ramping up as GMO crop technology backfires: study” at http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/02/us-usa-study-pesticides-idUSBRE89100X20121002

[4] USGS (2011) Press release: “Widely Used Herbicide Commonly Found in Rain and Streams in the Mississippi River Basin” at http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2909

[5] Reuters story “Pesticide use ramping up as GMO crop technology backfires: study” at http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/02/us-usa-study-pesticides-idUSBRE89100X20121002

[6] Benbrook CM (2012) Glyphosate tolerant crops in the EU: a forecast of impacts on herbicide use.
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/Global/international/publications/agriculture/2012/GI_Herb_Use_FINAL_10-18-12.pdf

[7] Reuters Story: “U.S. discovery of rogue GMO wheat raises concerns over controls” at http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/31/us-wheat-control-idUSL2N0EB0WF20130531

San Onofre: Nuclear Regulatory Commission will try to erase record of judge's ruling that led to shutdown

Adam Russell — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:16:59 -0400

Friends of the Earth: Atomic Safety Licensing Board ruling must not be vacated

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Just one week after Southern California Edison announced the permanent shutdown of the San Onofre nuclear reactors in the face of a devastating ruling by a panel of judges, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will launch a desperate attempt to erase the ruling from the record, Friends of the Earth warned today.

Friends of the Earth, which brought the case that led to the ruling by the Atomic Safety Licensing Board, was informed by NRC lawyers that the commission staff will file a motion later today (Friday, June 14) to vacate, or set aside, the ASLB's ruling.

Last month the three expert judges of the ASLB issued a unanimous verdict agreeing with Friends of the Earth and the Natural Resources Defense Council, that restarting San Onofre reactor Unit 2 would violate terms of its existing operating license and would therefore require an formal adjudicated license amendment process, including public hearing and expert testimony. On June 7 Edison announced that in the face of the ASLB ruling -- which would have led to legal challenges that would delay any restart until 2014 or beyond -- the utility will keep both the plant's reactors closed for good.

"The NRC staff wants to pretend that the ruling that led to the shutdown never happened," said Kendra Ulrich, nuclear campaigner for Friends of the Earth. "But this decisive ruling can not be unwritten and the facts can’t be maneuvered away -- in a case involving reactor safety, citizens have the right to public hearings and a formal legal process. Friends of the Earth will vigorously oppose any attempt by the NRC to rewrite history."

The NRC's Office of General Counsel has notified attorneys for Friends of the Earth by email that they intend to file a motion to vacate the ASLB ruling no later than Friday, June 14, 2013. The move by the NRC to wipe the ASLB ruling from the record is yet another instance of how the agency has aggressively resisted efforts to make Edison play by the rules in its bid to restart the reactors.

The ASLB panel was convened last November by a unanimous decision of the NRC Commissioners to rule on Friends of the Earth's petition charging that restart would require a formal process in a court-like setting with public hearings, sworn testimony and expert witnesses. But after the ASLB ruled in Friends of the Earth's favor on May 13, the NRC staff downplayed the decision, saying an adjudicated hearing was not necessary and that it might allow restart first and hold meaningless hearings later.

"It's shameful enough that the NRC staff was willing to go along with Edison's attempt to deny citizens the right to a hearing and legal process," said Shaun Burnie, senior nuclear campaigner for Friends of the Earth. "Now, after the judges' ruling went against them, they're trying to make it disappear. If the federal agency overseeing nuclear reactors isn't on the side of public safety, who are they working for?"

“The decision closed two reactors forever," said Burnie. "It is a lesson that should not -- and will not -- be forgotten. The idea that it can be vacated is an NRC staff daydream.”

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Contact:
Kendra Ulrich, (216) 571-7340, kulrich@foe.org
Shaun Burnie, (202) 701-6962, sburnie@foe.org

Supreme Court invalidates gene patents

Adam Russell — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:10:50 -0400

Decision is landmark victory for patients, researchers, public

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In a unanimous landmark decision today, the Supreme Court ruled that naturally occurring genes and DNA sequences are facts of nature and therefore not patentable. The Court also ruled that synthetic molecules known as complementary DNA, or cDNA may be patentable. The case involved two genes that correlate with increased risk for breast cancer and ovarian cancer, which were previously owned by Myraid Genetics through its patents.

Erich Pica, president of Friends of the Earth, responded:

“This is a huge victory for patients, researchers and the public at large over the biotechnology industry which was trying to make profit off of the most basic facts of nature -- our genetic code -- and harming public health in the process.

“The US Patent and Trademark Office has granted patents to over 20 percent of the human genome, and as of today those patents are invalid. The Supreme Court has spoken loud and clear saying that genes are facts of nature and unpatentable, opening up our genome to researchers across the country to promote public health and free scientific inquiry. This decision also supports the basic legal tenant that one cannot patent and own facts of nature, which belong in the commons for all to benefit."

Friends of the Earth, represented by the Center for Food Safety, submitted an amici brief to the Supreme Court arguing why naturally occurring genes, DNA and cDNA must not be patentable.

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Contact:
Eric Hoffman, (202) 222-0747, ehoffman@foe.org
Adam Russell, (202) 222-0722, arussell@foe.org

Keystone XL opponents call on Kerry to halt State's flawed review process

Adam Russell — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:47:49 -0400

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Environmental leaders hosted a press call today to call for a State Department Investigator General investigation of the State Department’s flawed Keystone XL review process and to call on Secretary Kerry to halt the review process until that investigation is complete.

The Sierra Club also announced that it had filed a lawsuit in federal court yesterday under the Freedom of Information Act asserting that the U.S. Department of State is withholding key documents related to the latest Keystone XL EIS and potential conflicts of interest with ERM.

When Secretary Kerry was confirmed as Secretary of State, he inherited a flawed Keystone XL review process. To move forward with the flawed process would contradict Secretary Kerry’s long history as a proponent of good government and transparency.

“For decades John Kerry has been a strong defender of good governance,” said 350.org Executive Director May Boeve. “We know that as he learns more about how the Keystone environmental analysis was written, he will step in put a stop to this corrupted process.”

Nearly 73,000 people signed petitions asking Secretary Kerry to postpone the Final Environmental Impact Statement until the Investigator General completes a thorough review of conflict of interest in the State Department's environmental review process of the proposed pipeline. Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth, Oil Change International, and Bold Nebraska all contributed signatures to the petition total.

“For the State Department to let Big Oil consultants tell us Keystone XL is safe is like the Surgeon General letting Big Tobacco tell us cigarettes are safe,” said Robin Mann, Past President of the Sierra Club. “Secretary Kerry can continue to live up to his legacy as a climate champion by demanding a fair report on Keystone XL and urging the President to reject this dirty and dangerous project.”

“The State Department should be an honest broker on Keystone XL, not a cheerleader for TransCanada,” said Erich Pica, Friends of the Earth President. “Secretary Kerry needs to halt the review process and find out how a paid member of the American Petroleum Institute was allowed to write such a critical report and why State Department employees have tried to cover up this company’s ties with the oil industry."

“The only way the State Department could produce even a remotely favorable review of this dirty and flawed pipeline is by getting Big Oil's friends to write it for them,” said Steve Kretzmann, Oil Change International Executive Director and Founder. "The tens of thousands of people who have joined this campaign are making it clear that we won't stand for this. Secretary Kerry has a key opportunity to reject bad process, to reject Big Oil influence, and to reject this dirty pipeline.”

Environmental Resources Management, the company contracted by Department of State and paid by TransCanada to draft the Environmental Impact Statement, is a member of the American Petroleum Institute and has worked for the oil industry which should have precluded it from getting hired.

“The United States must help lead the world in combating global warming and reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). “It would be incomprehensible to give approval to a tar sands oil project when producing tar sands oil creates more carbon emissions than conventional oil, and when it poses the risk of extremely damaging oil spills.”

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Contact:
Ross Hammond, rhammond@foe.org
Try Pollard, trey.pollard@sierraclub.org

Victory: Edison closes San Onofre for good (updated with press conference)

Adam Russell — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 09:54:19 -0400

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Here is a statement from Erich Pica, president of Friends of the Earth, on the announced closure of the San Onofre Generating Station.

“This is very good news for the people of Southern California. We have long said that these reactors are too dangerous to operate and now Edison has agreed. The people of California now have the opportunity to move away from the failed promise of dirty and dangerous nuclear power and replace it with the safe and clean energy provided by the sun and the wind.”

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Audio from the telepresser held this afternoon can be found here (mp3 format).

Contact:
Damon Moglen, (202) 222-0708, dmoglen@foe.org
Shaun Burnie, (202) 701-6962, sburnie@foe.org

Wind energy trumps nuclear: MidAmerican scraps plans for new reactors in Iowa

Adam Russell — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 14:50:51 -0400

Friends of the Earth: 'No future' for nuclear in U.S.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The decision of MidAmerican Energy to scrap plans to build nuclear reactors in Iowa is further evidence that nuclear power has no future in the United States, Friends of the Earth said.

MidAmerican, based in Des Moines, announced Monday that because the design of their proposed small modular reactors have yet to be certified by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, moving ahead was not possible, saying the decision was in the best interests of their customers. Instead, MidAmerican will concentrate its efforts on its $1.9 billion windpower project, which would build 656 wind turbines in the state.

Friends of the Earth said the decision is also recognition that without massive public subsidies, new nuclear power makes no economic sense. MidAmerican Energy has spent the last three years trying to secure upfront financing for the reactor project, even though no reactor design existed. The company was hoping to pay for a series of small reactors by passing state legislation that would have provided hundreds of millions of dollars in advance to MidAmerican. But their efforts were successfully opposed by citizens and environmental groups, including AARP, Friends of the Earth, Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Sierra Club, and a majority of state legislators.

In February 2012, an Iowa Poll found that 77 percent of Iowans opposed the funding arrangement allowing the utility to charge customers up front for the planning and construction of nuclear reactors. Only 18 percent favored the approach.

“Iowa citizens, lawmakers and now MidAmerican have gotten the message: Building nuclear reactors makes no economic sense." said Mike Carberry, Friends of the Earth’s campaigner in Iowa.

"These reactors never existed except in the glossy brochures of the nuclear industry," said Damon Moglen, director of Friends of the Earth's climate and energy campaign. "The opposition to the public financing of this project sends an important signal across the nation – forcing taxpayers to subsidize dirty and dangerous nuclear power is not acceptable and has no place in our nation’s clean energy future. Renewable energy exists today, is quick to install and can deliver clean, safe energy years before a nuclear project even gets off the drawing board."

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Contact:
Damon Moglen, (202) 222-0708, dmoglen@foe.org
Mike Carberry, (319) 594-6453

San Onofre: Pressed by Calif. regulators, Edison forced to release another damning letter

Adam Russell — Wed, 29 May 2013 13:50:34 -0400

Friends of the Earth: More proof utility sought to mislead NRC

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Under pressure from the California Public Utility Commission, Southern California Edison has released to Friends of the Earth another suppressed and highly incriminating internal document, showing that the utility knew eight years ago of serious flaws in the design of replacement steam generators for the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. The letter directly contradicts written testimony Edison gave in January to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The 2005 letter from then-Edison Vice President Dwight Nunn was released Tuesday, after the state PUC sharply questioned why Edison had not provided it as part of the PUC’s investigation of failure of the San Onofre reactors, shut down since January 2012 after a leak of radioactive steam. The day before, Boxer released a 2004 letter from Nunn proving that Edison knew that the flawed generators were not “like-for-like” with the ones they replaced, but failed to reveal that to the NRC in order to expedite approval from the NRC.

“This new letter shows conclusively that in 2005 Edison was aware that its defective design could lead to vibration and cracking of steam generator tubes,” said Damon Moglen, Friends of the Earth’s climate and energy program director. “While Edison knew this could lead to what the earlier letter calls ‘a disastrous outcome,’ they didn’t fix the problem, they didn’t tell the NRC then and denied it again in testimony this year. This is a scandal of the highest order: Edison prioritized its construction schedule and profits and endangered the lives and livelihoods of millions of Southern Californians.”

In the June 16, 2005 letter, Nunn writes to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which manufactured the replacement steam generators to Edison’s specifications, about the “probability” that the design could cause the tubes to vibrate and crack. Despite later suggestions from a joint Mitsubishi/Edison design team to fix the problem prior to construction, the contractors rejected such changes because they would have triggered a lengthy NRC license amendment review, including public hearings. In January, in written testimony to the NRC in a case brought by Friends of the Earth, Edison claimed that the problem “was not known at the time.”

S. David Freeman, former head of the Tennessee Valley Authority and of several nuclear utilities, said Edison knew it was taking a risk.

“With these revelations, it’s clear that Edison was conducting an experiment all along,” said Freeman, senior advisor to Friends of the Earth. “They were operating reactors with equipment that they knew had major problems. That’s unforgivable.

“Edison gambled that additional safety measures were not needed when they gave the highest priority not to safety but speed of construction. Of course they didn't know for sure that the equipment would fail, but they did know that they were taking a risk and they lost on their gamble. Gambling with the safety of a nuclear plant is not acceptable and an egregious misuse of ratepayer’s money.”

The mounting revelations of Edison’s deception dash the utility’s request to restart San Onofre rector Unit 2 this summer, said Moglen. “The NRC must make sure these reactors are not restarted with this damaged equipment, and the PUC must make sure no ratepayer money is spent to operate, let alone restart, this failed plant,” he said.

After Senator Boxer released the 2004 letter yesterday, the California PUC issued a statement asking “whether Edison had a duty to disclose the letters earlier.” PUC Executive Director Paul Clanon said the Commission “need(s) to investigate whether Edison took unnecessary risks, or tried to evade regulatory oversight.“ Edison quickly released the 2005 letter, along with other suppressed internal documents (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) that may hold more revelations. Friends of the Earth is currently evaluating the remaining documents.

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Contact:
Damon Moglen, (202) 222-0708, dmoglen@foe.org
Adam Russell, (202) 222-0722, arussell@foe.org

Target, Giant Eagle, H-E-B, Meijer say no to genetically engineered salmon

Adam Russell — Wed, 29 May 2013 11:38:55 -0400

As damning new study shows GE salmon can harm wild fish

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Campaign for Genetically Engineered (GE)-Free Seafood -- a coalition of more than 30 consumer, health, food safety and fishing groups led by Friends of the Earth -- announced that Target and other large mainstream grocery retailers across the United States have committed to not sell genetically engineered salmon if it is approved.

These new store policies were released today by Greenpeace in its Carting Away the Oceans report, which assesses the sustainable seafood policies of U.S. retailers.

Stores that will not sell genetically engineered salmon include Target, a national retailer that sells seafood in 1,394 stores; the H-E-B chain with 315 stores in Texas; Giant Eagle with 387 stores in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland; and Meijer, with 200 stores in Michigan, Indiana and other Rust Belt areas. These stores join 55 other food retailers that made similar commitments earlier this year, including Trader Joe’s, Aldi, Whole Foods, Marsh and Hy-Vee.

The total number of companies committed to not sell genetically engineered seafood now stands at 59 retailers representing 4,662 grocery stores across the country.

“There’s no room on our plates for genetically engineered seafood. Consumers don’t want it and price-competitive stores across middle America are refusing to sell it,” said Eric Hoffman food & technology policy campaigner with Friends of the Earth. “We applaud Target and all these retailers for listening to the vast majority of their customers who want sustainable seafood for their families,” Hoffman said. "We need to see more big retailers take this kind of initiative. We're hoping that Safeway, which has become a real leader in seafood sustainability in other ways, and other major grocery stores turn the corner here and pledge to stay away from genetically engineered salmon."

The market rejection of genetically engineered fish comes as the Food and Drug Administration conducts its final review of a genetically engineered salmon. More than 1.8 million people submitted comments to the FDA opposing the approval of what would be the first-ever genetically engineered animal approved by regulators for the human food supply.

In related news today, a new peer-reviewed study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society, provides evidence that genetically engineered salmon can breed with wild trout and create offspring that grow even faster and can outcompete wild fish -- increasing concerns about environmental damage.

The majority of Americans say they won’t eat genetically engineered seafood,(i) and 91 percent of Americans say the FDA should not allow it into the market.(ii) Eighty percent of Americans who regularly eat fish say that sustainable practices are "important" or "very important" to them.(iii)

“Simply put, this genetically engineered fish is a problem masquerading as a solution,” said Heather Whitehead, online campaigns director at Center for Food Safety. “It’s bad for the consumer, bad for the environment, and bad for our native salmon. Since these fish will likely not be labeled, consumers have to rely on retailers like these to reject unwanted and unnecessary GE fish. We will continue to pressure other retailers to side with consumers.”

The FDA said it will likely not label genetically engineered salmon, providing consumers no way of knowing if the fish they are feeding their families is genetically engineered. At least 35 other species of genetically engineered fish are currently under development, and the FDA’s decision on this genetically engineered salmon application will set a precedent for other genetically engineered fish and animals (including cows, chickens and pigs) to enter the global food market.(iv)

To avoid confusion in the marketplace and ensure sustainable seafood, a coalition of more than 30 groups led by Friends of the Earth are asking grocery stores, seafood restaurants, chefs and seafood companies to join the Pledge for GE-Free Seafood and publicly commit to not knowingly purchase or sell genetically engineered salmon or other genetically engineered seafood.

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Contact:
Eric Hoffman, 202-222-0747, ehoffman@foe.org;
Adam Russell, 202-222-0722, arussell@foe.org;
Stacy Malkan, 510-542-9224, stacydmalkan@gmail.com

NOTE: Stores named in this release have communicated their policies to not source or sell genetically engineered seafood in at least one of the following ways: by signing and returning the Pledge for GE-Free Seafood, direct email communication with Friends of the Earth, public statements or corporate policies, survey responses to Greenpeace’s annual Carting Away the Oceans report which was published today online at: http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/cato/

*More on the health and environmental risks of genetically engineered salmon.

*More on the Pledge for GE-Free Seafood, including a directory of stores committed to not knowingly sourcing or selling genetically engineered seafood, can be found online at www.gefreeseafood.org.

*Grocery stores, restaurants and chefs can add their name to the Pledge for GE-Free Seafood by emailing gefreeseafood@foe.org.

i. Consumer Reports National Research Center, 11/11/2008 http://www.greenerchoices.org/pdf/foodpoll2008.pdf, 62% of all consumers and 77% of women said they would not buy genetically engineered meat products, page 4
ii. Lake Research Partners, Commissioned by Food and Water Watch, 9/20/10. “Americans in near unanimity on their disapproval of genetically engineered fish and meat in the marketplace.” http://www.saynotogmos.org/ud2010/docs/fish_survey.pdf
iii. Barclay, Eliza. “Most Americans Eager To Buy Seafood That’s ‘Sustainable.’” National Public Radio, 12 Feb. 2013. http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/02/11/171743185/most-americans-eager-to-buy-seafood-thats-sustainable
iv. Genetically Engineered Fish. Center for Food Safety, Jan. 2013. http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ge-salmon-fact-sheet.pdf

San Onofre: Internal letter reveals Edison knew of defects at crippled reactors but misled federal regulators to get expedited license

Adam Russell — Tue, 28 May 2013 13:01:20 -0400

Friends of the Earth: "Restart is dead"

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. Barbara Boxer has released a private 2004 letter from Southern California Edison that reveals the utility knew of major problems in its radically redesigned replacement steam generators at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station that could lead to a “disastrous outcome,” but the company knowingly misrepresented its failed design as a “like-for-like” replacement to sidestep a more thorough license review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The leaked letter confirms accusations of the nuclear watchdog group Friends of the Earth. Its release, said the group, means Edison’s restart plan is dead.

“This letter from Edison management is truly shocking,” said Damon Moglen, climate and energy director for Friends of the Earth. “It shows definitively that Edison was more concerned with keeping to a construction schedule and making money than with assuring safe operation of their reactors. It raises serious questions about their honesty and about the NRC’s handling of the San Onofre license.

“The restart of San Onofre reactors is now off the table. No one can possibly argue for the further operation of these crippled reactors when such an experiment places the lives and livelihoods of millions of Southern Californians at risk.”

The letter, which Boxer released to the Associated Press, was sent by Edison Vice President Dwight Nunn to his counterpart, General Manager Akira Sawa, at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which fabricated the replacement steam generators according to Edison’s specifications. The letter states that serious problems with the replacement steam generators could lead to “unacceptable consequences (e.g. tube wear and eventually tube plugging). This would be a disastrous outcome for both of us ...”

In addition, the letter reveals that Edison was fully aware that the new generators, which failed in less than two years and caused a release of radiation, was not a like-for-like replacement despite their assurances to federal and state regulators. Edison’s Nunn writes: “Consequently, the design of the new steam generators is currently proceeding using the existing steam generator seismic response based on a like-for-like replacement concept (although the old and new steam generators will be similar in many respects they aren’t like-for-like replacements).”

Sen. Boxer said that she believes “Edison intentionally misled the public and regulators” and is providing the correspondence to “federal and state officials, including the U.S. Department of Justice so they can determine whether Edison engaged in willful wrongdoing.”

Release of the letter follows a May 13 ruling by the NRC’s Atomic Safety and Licensing Board in which the three-judge panel unanimously ruled that Edison’s plans to restart the damaged reactors would be an “experiment” for which they had inadequate experience and which would be outside both their technical specifications and licensing requirements.

“Friends of the Earth accused them, the ASLB judged them and now Edison has confessed,” said Dave Freeman, former head of the federal Tennessee Valley Authority and senior advisor to Friends of the Earth. “The San Onofre restart plan is now deader than a doornail. It’s over.”

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Contact:
Damon Moglen, (202) 222-0708, dmoglen@foe.org
Shaun Burnie, (202) 701-6962, sburnie@foe.org

San Onofre: Friends of the Earth to NRC -- Operating unsafe reactor as a nuclear experiment is not an option

Adam Russell — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:51:21 -0400

Motion calls for convening hearing panel on license amendments

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Friends of the Earth has filed a motion with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission requesting that a Licensing Board be convened to review license amendments that are required for Southern California Edison’s crippled San Onofre reactors, and provide an opportunity for an adjudicatory public hearing before any decision on restart.

The motion calls on the NRC to implement the decision of its own Atomic Safety Licensing Board, which ruled last week that the current process for evaluating and approving restart of the San Onofre reactor Unit 2 is a de facto license amendment proceeding. The ASLB ruled that without making formal changes in San Onofre's license to address major safety issues Edison would be in violation of NRC regulations. The licensing board also ruled that a public hearing should be held prior to any decision on a new license.

Friends of the Earth’s motion, filed jointly with the Natural Resources Defense Council, calls on the NRC to convene an ASLB panel to preside over an adjudicatory license amendment proceeding. If the motion is accepted by the NRC, it would require Edison to submit a new license amendment that addresses unresolved safety issues. It would also consolidate the existing and newly required license amendment into one proceeding.

“The ASLB was very clear that operating San Onofre in its present uniquely damaged state would be an ‘experiment’ and outside its safety license requirements. Our motion makes clear to the NRC that moving forward on the current plan without further license amendments is not an option for them or Edison,” said Kendra Ulrich, nuclear campaigner with Friends of the Earth.

“It’s not that complicated,” Ulrich continued. “An unprecedented safety flaw is found at a nuclear reactor located in a highly active earthquake zone, and the agency’s own judicial safety board says it’s not legal to operate. The ASLB’s order confirms that all the major safety issues that Edison and the NRC have failed to acknowledge, never mind resolve, must be considered by a full license amendment process with an adjudicatory public hearing prior to restart.”

Established by the NRC Commissioners in late 2012 to hear a case brought by Friends of the Earth, the ASLB ruled last week that the current proposal from Edison to restart the reactor was an “experiment” with a reactor that had suffered “unique” phenomenon of steam generator tube damage. Edison has provided no data to prove that it can operate San Onofre without further damage -- in fact, its own consultants acknowledge that steam tubes will continue to incur further damage even if the reactor operates at only 70 percent power. Last week nuclear engineers for Friends of the Earth provided evidence to the NRC that operating San Onofre will not only lead to further tube damage and failure but risk a major nuclear accident potentially affecting the lives of millions of people in Southern California.

Both the NRC and Edison in all of their assessments and proceedings have failed to address and resolve important safety issues. These include the vulnerability of the San Onofre steam generators and the nuclear reactor to seismic impact, which could lead to a significant accident and radiation dosage for the public. San Onofre lies within 50 miles of 8.7 million people in Southern California.

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Contact:
Kendra Ulrich, (216) 571-7340, kulrich@foe.org
Shaun Burnie, (202) 251-1862, sburnie@foe.org