SEATTLE COMMUNITY COUNCIL FEDERATION
Regular Meeting
NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency), Pacific Marine Center on Lake Union
Thursday, March24, 2011
AGENDA |
Is Seattle Safe from Radiation from Japan’s Nuclear Power Plants? What
are the Risks from Hanford and Biocontainment Labs?
featuring Mike McCormick from LabWatch Seattle and Tom Carpenter from Hanford Challenge
The State’s Department of Public Health has advised residents that most of the radioactive material in the failed Japanese nuclear plants is contained and poses no risks to residents in our area. But, what can we learn from the Japanese experience? How can Seattle address the risks and hazards of its biolabs? Learn about the issues from articulate and informed speakers at the March meeting.
Mike McCormick will address the continuing proliferation of high-containment biolabs in Seattle and why citizen oversight remains critical to our safety. For example, Alexandria Real Estate, the largest commercial builder/operator of high-containment biolabs has purchased several more parcels in the Eastlake/South Lake Union neighborhoods. Citizens need to be informed about the potential uses of these facilities and have a say as to whether they want them located in their neighborhoods and city without adequate safeguards.
Tom Carpenter will address the parallels between the events in Japan and here, especially as they relate to Hanford, with a special emphasis on the Columbia Generating Station, earthquakes, spent nuclear fuel pool above-ground and the Hanford nuclear waste tanks. He will also cover issues connected with the Waste Treatment Plant (aka the vit plant), the nuclear legacy at Hanford in the form of buried waste, and the tremendous technical, political, and financial challenges facing us in the cleanup ahead.
The March meeting will also include our monthly Round Robin of issues and projects in your neighborhood. If you have informational materials you would like distributed at the meeting, please email electronic copies or links to Jeannie Hale at jeannieh@serv.net.
7:00 Call to Order and Introductions
7:05 Administration
1. Changes to the agenda
2. Treasurer’s report
3. President’s report
7:15 Working to Prevent Nuclear Mistakes and Biolab Accidents: Mike McCormick and Tom Carpenter
8:00 Round Robin
9:00 Adjourn
NOAA is a federal facility on high security alert, so attendees must enter by the security gate and may need to present photo ID. If you haven't attended a recent Federation meeting, please send your name, contact information, and address to rickbarrett@gmail.com to be added to the entry list. No e-mail? Call 206-365-1267. The building is ADA compliant, with ample parking in front. |
If you wish to familiarize yourself with the issues that will be discussed you might start by visiting these websites:
The Economist – Hanford -- From bombs to $800 Handbags
Heart Of America Northwest
Wikipedia -- Bioterrorism
Labwatch – Seattle’s known Biolevel 3 Lab map (many are unknown)
Hanford - The most contaminated site in the Western Hemisphere.
Chernobyl 25 Years Later: Lessons Learned?
Chernobyl 25 Years Later: Lessons Learned? Networking Reception, Discussion, and Photo Exhibit
Event Details
Speaker
Dr. Alexey Yablokov, Councilor of the Russian Academy of Science, Nuclear and Radiation Safety Program Chair for the International Socio-Ecological Union, and Author of "Chernobyl: Consequences of the Catastrophe for People and Nature"
Date & Time
March 28, 2011 - 6:00pm
Registration Time
March 28, 2011 - 6:00pm
Location
University of Washington
Kane Hall Walker Ames 225 & 210
Seattle, WA 98195
Prices
Member: $10.00
Non-member: $15.00
Student: $10.00
Event Information
Moderator and Commentator: Tom Carpenter, Executive Director, Hanford Challenge
Twenty-five years after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, what do we know about the real environmental, health, and economic impact(s)?
With the current nuclear crisis in Japan and the nuclear energy industry again on the rise globally as an “alternative” to fossil fuel energy, what lessons have we learned from the Chernobyl disaster and how have these lessons affected nuclear energy policy and practice today?
Finally, is nuclear energy today a safe alternative energy supply?
The World Affairs Council and Hanford Challenge present Dr. Alexey Yablokov, who will address the real consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe including poor public health, elevated mortality rates, and new and unusual illnesses. Dr. Yablokov will also discuss why the true impact of Chernobyl has been silenced and why the World Health Organization has not spoken out. Dr. Yablokov and Mr. Carpenter will also be prepared to discuss the current situation in Japan, comparisons with Chernobyl, and possible impacts in Japan and globally.
Dr. Alexey Yablokov was the environmental advisor to Russian President Yeltsin and advisor to the Gorbachev administration. He is a Councilor of the Russian Academy of Science and currently serves as Nuclear and Radiation Safety Program Chair for the International Socio-Ecological Union. Dr. Yabolokov is currently one of the leaders of the Russian Environmental movement and the author of many books about ecology, zoology, and radiobiology. Most recently, Dr. Yablokov authored, “Chernobyl: Consequences of the Catastrophe for People and Nature,” a comprehensive presentation of all the available information concerning the health and environmental effects of the low dose radioactive contaminants that were emitted from the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1986. The official discussions emanating from the IAEA and associated UN agencies (e.g. the Chernobyl Forum reports) have largely downplayed or ignored many of the findings reported in the Eastern European scientific literature and as a consequence these reports have erred on the side of negative findings simply because much of what was known was not included in their assessments. This new book provides a complete and extensive summary of all known research, including that published in Russian and Ukrainian, and provides new insights to the likely long-term health and environmental consequences of nuclear accidents.
Note: Dr. Yablokov’s presentation will be in English. The Q&A section of the program will be facilitated with support from a consecutive Russian language interpreter.
This event will feature, "Chernobyl, 20 Years - 20 Lives" (2006), a photo documentary journeythrough the lives of 20 people whose lives were forever altered by the devastating nuclear explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant on April 26th, 1986. In an attempt to understand the implications of the catastrophe on mankind, Mads Eskesen travelled in the affected regions, made interviews and took pictures of the everyday life. These trips resulted in 20 moving stories about human destinies that have been radically changed by the accident. The images offer an insight into the fate of a few of the victims of Chernobyl and reveal some of the impacts of the continuing catastrophe.
Note: The Networking Reception is included in the cost of the event! The discussion part of this event will begin at 7:00 p.m.
Hanford Challenge and FRAEC members can register at the member price.
Co-Presenter:
Foundation for Russian American Economic Cooperation (FRAEC)
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