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March 9, 2010
PSR Board Member Speaks Out Against Health Threats of Leaking Vermont Reactor
 PSR Board Member Dr. Ira Helfand spoke at a teach-in to over 300 people, including members of the Vermont legislature, in Brattleboro, VT to discuss the public health impacts of the Vermont Yankee reactor. A 20-year license extension of the reactor was voted down overwhelmingly (26-4) on February 24, 2010 by the Vermont Senate. Vermont is the only state in the US that has a say in reactor relicensing; in other states, it is solely the decision of the federal government. Read more »
The 2010 Nuclear Roller Coaster
The first couple of months of 2010 have presented us with an interesting roller coaster ride when it comes to making progress on arms control and disarmament. The year started with President Obama declaring nuclear weapons as "the greatest danger to the American people" and repeating his commitment to seek deep reductions in U.S. and global nuclear arsenals as a part of his State of the Union address. The challenge remains: to turn this vision into reality. Read more »
Confronting Toxics
On any given day, people are exposed to a wide array of chemicals, from industrial pollutants in the air, to pesticide residues in foods, to heavy metals in drinking water. Many of these chemicals are regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), an outdated law desperately in need of modernization. As a member organization of the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families campaign, PSR is fighting for TSCA reform. Read more »
PSR Calls on EPA to Tighten Proposed Standards on Smog
PSR testified before the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), calling for tighter National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ground-level ozone (smog). PSR applauded the EPA's proposal to lower the primary limit for ozone, but contended that the proposed levels are inadequate to protect vulnerable populations.
After you read the article and Barb Gottlieb's blog, we encourage you to submit your comments to the EPA on smog's damaging impact on human health.
Walking the Talk on Coal
Dr. Barbara Warren and PSR members are walking the talk in Arizona: educating the community on the human and environmental threat of coal fired power plants, engaging activists and elected officials in work to promote energy alternatives, and serving on government bodies working to make changes. For tips on best practices for coal advocacy, check out Walking the Talk: Eclipsing Coal by Advocating for Sustainable Alternatives.
Student Leaders Strategize for 2010 and Beyond
Dozens of student leaders from medical school and public health campuses from around the country will convene in Washington, DC this April for a summit to develop the vision and strategic plan of SPSR in 2010. Student leaders will attend joint sessions with the PSR board and have the opportunity to weigh in on core PSR programs, such as environment & health, peace & security, safe energy, as well as social justice issues.
This important summit will build on developments from the successful meetings held in New York last April where over 100 student activists attended the 2009 National Conference, "Prescription for a Healthy & Secure Planet". The summit aims to enhance their leadership, organizational development, and advocacy skills by providing the student activist leaders with training sessions on basic activism and policy. If you are a student or know students that should be in attendance, please contact us at spsr.national@gmail.com.
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