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National Analysis of Cancer Mortality and Proximity to Nuclear Power Plants in the United States

The most recent study to explore the link between cancer and nuclear plant proximity from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. This one takes a national view of the problem and finds a correlation that warrants further investigation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

We have many ways for you to get involved with the Foundation's work.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Economics of Reprocessing vs. Direct Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel

Analysis comparing the economics of reprocessing versus direct disposal of spent nuclear fuel from the Belfer Center at Harvard Kennedy School.

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