11-2SG Burlington Against Nukes
Grant Round:
2011 September
Grant Program:
Small Grants
Grant Type:
Other Grants
Grant amount requested:
2,500.00
Attachments
Please provide a brief description of the project for which you seek funding.
VERMONT YANKEE was built to run for 40 years only, with a shut-down date of March, 2012. It is old and fragile, leaking radiation to the air, ground, and water supply. Its spent fuel pool is built high in the air, vulnerable to earthquakes and terrorists The longer it runs, the more deadly nuclear waste will be stored on the Connecticut River. Nuclear power is DANGEROUS. Accidents happen as a result of human failures and natural catastrophes. Nuclear plants are completely susceptible to terrorist attacks from the air. An average reactor has as much long-lived radioactivity as at least 1000x the bomb that devastated Hiroshima in 1945. Any kind of accident can release life-damaging radiation. Nuclear workers are always at risk of radiation poisoning. Nuclear power is DIRTY. 1. Mining of the uranium necessary for nuclear power plants causes radiation poisoning in the Native American communities where it is extracted. Uranium mining is a highly carbon-dioxide intensive industrial operation. 2. Even during routine operation, nuclear plants pollute the air and water with radioactive gases. Increased amounts of cancer have been documented around these plants. 3. Highly radioactive waste is an unsolved problem. Radioactive waste remains dangerous for virtually forever. The United States as of 2011 has not found a safe repository for used fuel rods. They are being stored at the reactors, endangering all of the populations around them. Nuclear power is UNBELIEVABLY EXPENSIVE! Construction and insurance are all subsidized by the government, as no corporations would take on these risks. So-taxpayers pay for this scary type of energy. The government subsidizes nuclear power because it is a necessary step in producing plutonium, needed for nuclear weapons. Nuclear power and nuclear weapons have been called the "Terrible Twins" of our centuries. BAN works to create an informed alliance in this largest population base in Vermont, doing rallies, marches, sit-ins, tabling, petition signing, and educational events.
Primary Issue Area:
Environmental Health
Please break-down/categorize the program expenses:
| Proposed Item | Estimated $ Amount | Would grant funds be used for this item? | Type Of Expense |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hall Rentals and Speaker fees or transportation | $2,000.00 | Materials | |
| Website creation | $1,050.00 | Yes | Materials |
| Printing/Copying | $700.00 | Yes | Materials |
Whom does your group need to make this project happen?
Please explain how your group will engage members from your community in this project.
On July 23, 2011, we presented an all day "Nuclear Power Conference" at the University of Vermont. This event kicked off "Hiroshima to Fukushima to Vermont-Two weeks of Learning and Remembrance" put on together with Pax Christi and Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and other individuals. It included 3 films and discussions, memorials on Hiroshima Day and Nagasaki Day, and a panel discussion with young members of the International Volunteers for Peace, talking about nuclear issues of all of their countries. We will continue such educational offerings. We will talk to people at presentations, in homes and on the street. We will be tabling and putting up informational posters. We will do door to door flyering and petition signing. We will use our larger listserve- BurlingtonVt Climate Change, Facebook, weekly meetings, blogs, Front Porch Forums, activist trainings.
If your group receives a NEGEF Grow grant, how do you plan to pay for remaining expenses?
| $ Amount | Source |
|---|---|
| $250.00 | Collection at events |
| $500.00 | Volunteer donations |
Please list these materials or services
| $ Amount | Item |
|---|---|
| $2,000.00 | Writing, setting up events, speaking |
| $1,000.00 | Running events |
Please describe what changes will occur in your community and its environment when your group's project is successful.
1. Vermont Yankee will close in March, 2012
2. Vermont Yankee will have the safest decommissioning possible.
3. All citizens will be educated about the real dangers and expenses to the environment and to themselves which are part of using nuclear power.
4. A citizenry will be developed that knows it can band together and put pressure on elected representatives and stand up for their rights to a peaceful and safe life for their children.
Please list how many people in your community your group expects to actively engage in this project.
1 000
What relevant skills does the group need (but does not currently have access to) to help move the initiative forward?
Although we have a web designer in the group, he is too deeply involved in our work to do this for us. We need more young people with the energy of young people. This is why we need to bring presentations to the colleges. Perhaps we also need more retired people who have more freedom to schedule their time. We do have good relationships with our state and national representatives. We need better national elections!
What relevant skills do current members of the group have to help move the initiative forward?
We include people experienced in media presentations, in event planning, putting up posters and generally advertising. We have graphic designers, a lawyer, speakers, writers, editors, meeting facilitators.