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Search our knowledge base for answers about nuclear waste, our programs, volunteering, and more.

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29 articles found

NY Nuclear Anti-Affordability Fiasco: Why the Energy Plan Would Explode Rates

Report arguing that NY's plan for up to 3.3 GW of new nuclear reactors will sharply raise ratepayer costs, using Georgia's Plant Vogtle as key comparison.

Jan 2026

2 views

Nuclear Waste

Joint Letter: Opposition to Nuclear Waste Reprocessing in County 90-Day Report

SLF's joint advocacy letter to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors opposing the inclusion of nuclear waste "reprocessing" (marketed as "recycling") as a feasible solution for the waste at San Onofre.

Dec 2025

2 views

Research

Residential Proximity to Nuclear Plants & Cancer in Massachusetts (2000-2018)

The first of three studies exploring the link between cancer and nuclear plant proximity from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, focused on Massachusetts.

Dec 2025

1 views

Nuclear Waste

The Next Nuclear Renaissance?

Understand the economic implications of a new "nuclear renaissance" driven by Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), Generation IV designs, new large reactors, and life-extension of existing plants.

Sep 2025

2 views

Research

Cancer Incidence & Childhood Residence Near Coldwater Creek Radioactive Waste

Harvard-led study that links cancer and childhood exposure to radiation exposure from the former Manhattan Project-era uranium waste storage site in Coldwater Creek, MO.

Jul 2025

1 views

Get Involved

Advocacy Toolkit: Contact Your Representatives

Use our advocacy toolkit to contact your local, state, and federal representatives about nuclear waste safety. We provide template letters, key talking points, and contact information for elected officials in the San Onofre region.

NRC Inspection Reports and Findings

We track and publish summaries of Nuclear Regulatory Commission inspection reports for San Onofre. Recent inspections have noted scratched fuel canisters during loading operations and concerns about long-term corrosion in the marine environment.

Clean Energy Transition Resources

Explore our curated collection of resources on the transition to clean energy, including research papers, policy briefs, and educational materials about renewable alternatives to nuclear power, grid modernization, and energy storage technologies.

What is a Consent-Based Siting process?

Consent-Based Siting is an approach where communities voluntarily agree to host a nuclear waste storage or disposal facility. The Department of Energy has been exploring this approach, and the Foundation advocates for its proper implementation to relocate waste from coastal sites like San Onofre.

Mar 2025

Research

Nuclear Colonization and International Security

Intern research paper arguing that global nuclear waste mismanagement constitutes "nuclear colonization" — marginalized communities disproportionately bear environmental and health risks.

Mar 2025

1 views

Nuclear Waste

What are Holtec thin-walled canisters?

Holtec UMAX canisters are 5/8-inch thick stainless steel containers used to store spent nuclear fuel at SONGS. Unlike thick-walled casks used internationally, these canisters have no inner liner, cannot be monitored internally, and are vulnerable to chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking from th

How can I volunteer with the Foundation?

You can volunteer by joining one of our community outreach programs, attending public forums, or helping with our annual clean energy events. Visit the Get Involved section of our website or contact us directly to learn about current opportunities.

What is the Samuel Lawrence Foundation doing about SONGS?

The Foundation advocates for the safe relocation of nuclear waste away from the coast, pushes for upgraded thick-walled cask storage, and educates the public and policymakers about the risks. We fund independent research and host community forums.

Why is nuclear waste stored at San Onofre a concern?

The waste is stored in an earthquake and tsunami zone, adjacent to 8.4 million residents within a 50-mile radius. The thin-walled Holtec canisters cannot be inspected for cracks, repaired, or monitored from the inside, creating long-term safety and environmental risks.

What is the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station?

The San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) is a decommissioned nuclear power plant located on the coast of San Diego County, California. It operated from 1968 to 2013 and is currently storing 3.6 million pounds of nuclear waste on-site in thin-walled canisters just 100 feet from the ocean.

How do I become a member?

Membership is free and open to everyone. Simply sign up through our website to access member-only resources, receive our newsletter, track your support requests, and stay informed about upcoming events and policy updates.

Nuclear Waste Administration Act of 2024 (H.R. 118th Congress)

Proposed by Mike Levin in 2024, this bill would replace DOE's current nuclear waste management structure with a new independent federal agency and establish a consent-based siting process.

Sep 2024

1 views

Nuclear Waste

SLF v. California Coastal Commission (Case No. 19STCP05431)

Tentative ruling denying SLF's petition challenging the California Coastal Commission's approval of a Coastal Development Permit for the SONGS decommissioning project.

Jun 2021

1 views

Nuclear Waste

San Onofre Radioactive Waste Poll Results

Public opinion survey (n=1,000 registered voters, San Diego and Orange County) finding broad public concern and low trust regarding SONGS radioactive waste storage.

Mar 2021

1 views

Nuclear Waste

SONGS Task Force Report (2019-2020)

Comprehensive task force report analyzing safety, regulatory, and policy challenges around spent nuclear fuel storage at SONGS. Outlines 29 findings and 30 recommendations across five areas.

Mar 2020

1 views

Nuclear Waste

Economic Consequences from an Event at SONGS Interim Spent Fuel Storage

This whitepaper models the economic fallout of a radiological release from SONGS' spent fuel storage facility on the three-county Southern California region using IMPLAN economic modeling.

Jan 2019

1 views

Nuclear Waste

San Onofre Nuclear Waste Problems

SLF-authored technical report identifying three core risk categories at SONGS' dry-cask spent fuel storage: poor location, poor technology, and poor management.

Jan 2019

1 views

Nuclear Waste

Decommissioning Nuclear Plants: What Congress, Agencies & Communities Need

Backgrounder compiling coalition views on nuclear plant decommissioning risks, methods, waste disposition, funding adequacy, and lack of state/local oversight. Includes dedicated SONGS case study.

Jul 2018

1 views

Nuclear Waste

Burning Waste or Playing with Fire? Waste Mgmt for Non-Traditional Reactors

Peer-reviewed article arguing that molten salt reactors and sodium-cooled fast reactors will actually worsen waste management challenges due to unusual and highly reactive fuel chemistry.

Jan 2018

1 views

Nuclear Waste

Nuclear Reprocessing: Dangerous, Dirty, and Expensive

UCS explainer arguing against reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, contending it fails to solve the waste problem while increasing proliferation and terrorism risks.

Apr 2011

1 views

Economics