Groups Work To Stop New Nukes

	NOT ON OUR WATCH—In October 2006, Constellation Energy announced plans to build the nation’s largest nuclear power plant in southern Maryland on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, less than 50 miles southeast of Washington DC. Maryland PIRG Foundation is advocating against the new nuclear reactor and in favor of clean, safe and affordable energy solutions.

In the wake of the release of Maryland PIRG’s report The High Cost of Nuclear Power: Why Maryland Can’t Afford A New Reactor, a new coalition has formed to promote a nuclear-free energy future for Maryland.

The mission of the Chesapeake Safe Energy Coalition is to stop the construction of a new nuclear power plant in Maryland, educate the public about the hazards of nuclear energy, and promote clean, safe and affordable energy solutions.

Each of the coalition members is doing its part to build the coalition and bring the campaign to life. The Southern Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club is working to recruit organizations throughout Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore. Public Citizen’s Critical Mass and Environment Program has drafted a resolution that local officials can introduce in their jurisdictions. And other groups, including Maryland PIRG, are collecting petition signatures across the state.

In the fall of 2006, Constellation Energy announced its plans to build a new nuclear reactor. Now our coalition is working to convince decision-makers that we should invest in safe and affordable alternatives to nuclear power, such as stronger energy efficiency standards and clean renewable sources of energy like wind and solar power.