May 25, 2011

Members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees on Energy

President Obama has asked that the Department of Energy’s Title 17 loan guarantee program for construction of new nuclear reactors be increased by $36 Billion in FY 2012. The President made an identical request for FY 2011, which was not approved by Congress.

We ask that you reject this new request for an increase in loan guarantee authority, and that you also act to rescind the $10.2 Billion unspent and remaining in the program, as well as the $8.3 Billion conditionally offered to Southern Company for the Vogtle nuclear project and any and all funds for nuclear fuel cycle facilities. In short, the Title 17 program for nuclear power should be ended.

The Fukushima nuclear disaster has undercut the entire public policy rationale for this program. When enacted in 2005, Congress believed that modest funding to support construction of six-to- eight new nuclear reactors would encourage private investment—even then reluctant to support nuclear power because of the financial risk of high construction costs and a historical record of delays—to follow. In 2007, Congress authorized $18.5 Billion to fund this program and an additional $2 Billion for nuclear fuel cycle facilities.

Since then, estimated construction costs have skyrocketed so that it would take more than $50 Billion to support construction of those same 6-8 new reactors. Fukushima has provided a stark reminder to the investment community that multi-billion dollar investments can turn into much larger liabilities overnight. 75 days ago, Tokyo Electric Power was one of the five largest electric utilities in the world. Today it is a shambles, facing tens—perhaps hundreds--of billions of dollars in liabilities.

The only reactors now being built in the world are being built entirely with government funds. The private investment community will not be putting its money into new nuclear power plants, no matter how much support is provided with tax dollars. Title 17 cannot and will not lead to greater private investment in nuclear power and thus cannot and will not achieve its goals.

This alone should be reason enough to end this program, before tax dollars are placed at risk. The American public agrees. According to a March 2011 poll conducted for the Civil Society Institute, 73% of the American people oppose federal loan guarantees for new nuclear reactors. An April 2011 ABC News/Washington Post poll found that 64% oppose new reactor construction entirely.

The world’s third and fourth largest economies—Japan and Germany—are embarking on new energy policies focused on clean renewable energy and increased energy efficiency, and away from nuclear power. These countries understand that clean energy is indeed the future and that clean energy plants do not explode and release toxic radiation across the world. The United States should join Japan and Germany and become a leader in clean energy rather than falling further behind in the race to implement the energy sources of the 21st century.

A necessary first step toward leading the march toward clean energy is to end the diversion of resources to nuclear energy. The Title 17 loan guarantee program for nuclear power unnecessarily risks billions of taxpayer dollars on a program that cannot meet its own goals and that simply diverts our limited resources away from the goal of safe, clean and affordable energy for our nation.

Again, please reject President Obama’s request for a $36 Billion increase in the Title 17 loan guarantee program and instead please end this risky and unnecessary program entirely.

Gretel Johnston, co-founder Craig Fiels Mothers Against Tennessee River Radiation (MATRR) Sustainable Economic Solutions Scottsboro, AL Oakland, CA

Russell Lowes Wendy Oser Research Director Nuclear Guardianship Project www.SafeEnergyAnalyst.org Berkeley, CA Tucson, AZ Linda Seeley Patricia T. Birnie, Chair President GE Stockholders' Alliance Terra Foundation Tucson, AZ San Luis Obispo, CA

Ted Warmbrand, director Vic and Barby Ulmer ITZABOUTIME Co Directors Tucson, AZ our developing world Saratoga CA Dennis Larson PASE People's Action for Safe Energy Ellen Augustine, Co-Director Parthenon, AR NotMyPriorities.Org San Francisco, CA Tom Campbell Executive Director Marylia Kelley The Guacamole Fund Executive Director Hermosa Beach, CA Tri-Valley CAREs Livermore, CA Susan Clark Board Chair Mary Beth Brangan and James Heddle Committee to Bridge the Gap Co-Directors Los Angeles, CA EON, the Ecological Options Network Bolinas, CA Elaine Holder, President Mothers for Committee Rinaldo Brutoco San Luis Obispo, CA Founding President World Business Academy Santa Barbara, CA

Nancy Casady Talia Rose, owner Ocean Beach People's Organic Food Co-op Organic Grace San Diego, CA Garberville, CA Robert M. Gould, MD Dixie van der Kamp, Trustee President Trust SF-Bay Area Chapter Santa Rosa, CA Physicians for Social Responsibility San Francisco, CA Gene Stone Residents Organized for a Safe Environment Molly Johnson, area coordinator San Clemente, CA Grandmothers for Peace/San Luis Obispo County Chapter Aletha San Miguel, CA Co-Founder Free Soil Party Phoebe Sorgen Los Angeles, CA Berkeley Peace & Justice Commission Vice Chair BFUU Social Justice Committee Patricia Lawrence, Executive Director Berkeley, CA Travel Radio International Audio Journeys (TM) Palo Cedro, CA Jacqueline Cabasso, Executive Director Western States Legal Foundation Jeri Bodemar Oakland, CA Truth in Recruiting Network of Santa Cruz County. Santa Cruz, CA Philip M. Klasky Co-director, Bay Area Nuclear Waste Coalition David Brisbin, President San Francisco, CA White Pine Productions Santa Monica, CA Hunter Lovins Natural Capitalism, Inc. Michael Welch Longmont, CO Redwood Alliance Arcata, CA Bob Kinsey, Co Chair The Colorado Coalition for the Prevention of Nuclear Don Eichelberger, Staff War Safe Energy Clearinghouse Denver CO San Francisco, CA Catherine Meyrick, President David Hartsough, Executive Director Tallahassee Area Communty PEACEWORKERS Canon City, CO San Francisco, CA Judith Mohling Larry Harper, Committee Member Coordinator, Nuclear Nexus Peace Crane Project Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center Sonoma County, CA Boulder, CO

Sue Hilderbrand, Director Bob Kinsey and Judith Mohling Chico Peace & Justice Center Co-chairs Chico, CA Colorado Coalition for the Prevention of Nuclear War Denver, CO Todd Steiner Executive Director Claire Ryder, Chairperson Turtle Island Restoration Network Denver Greens Forest Knolls, CA Denver CO

John Victor Anderson CEO Ellen Peterson Chair GarbageBusters Calusa Group, LaPorte, CO Fort Myers, FL

N. York Nancy O'Byrne Poudre Valley Greens Coordinator Fort Collins, CO Pax Christi Northeast Florida St. Augustine, FL Nancy Burton, Director Connecticut Coalition Against Millstone Michael Canney, co-chair Redding, CT Green Party of Florida Key West, FL Judi Friedman, Chair PACE (People's Action for Clean Energy) Shawna Doran, co-chair Canton, CT Alachua County Green Party Alachua, FL Erich Pica Executive Director Tom Conroy Friends of the Earth Conroy Roofing Washington, DC Naples, FL

Jim Riccio Glenn Carroll, Coordinator Nuclear Watch South Washington, DC Atlanta, GA

Lynn Thorp Tom Ferguson, Coordinator National Campaigns Coordinator Foundation for Global Community Clean Water Action Atlanta, GA Washington, DC Bob Darby, Coordinator Tyson Slocum Food Not Bombs Atlanta, GA Washington, DC Adele Kushner, Executive Director Susan Shaer Action for a Clean Environment Executive Director Alto, GA Women’s Action for New Directions Washington, DC Catherine Hirsch Citizens Against Nukes! Joan W. Drake, Treasurer Anahola, HI Women's International League for Peace & Freedom Washington, DC, Branch Liz Woodruff Executive Director Alan Muller, Executive Director Snake River Alliance Green Delaware Boise, ID Port Penn, DE David A. Kraft, Director Cara L. Campbell, Chair Nuclear Energy Information Service Ecology Party of Florida Chicago, IL Ft. Lauderdale, FL Maureen Headington Rain Byars President General Manager Stand Up/Save Lives Campaign Rain or Shine Power LLC Burr Ridge, IL Saint Augustine, FL Grant Smith Executive Director Jay Levy Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana Committee Chair Indianapolis, IN Nuclear Free Takoma Park Committee Takoma Park, MD Patrick Bosold Conservation Chair Linda Schade Leopold Group, S.E. Iowa Chapter of Iowa Sierra Club Executive Director Fairfield, IA VotersForPeace.us Baltimore, MD Jane E. Magers Coordinator Kevin Kamps Earth Care, Inc. Radioactive Waste Watchdog Des Moines, IA Beyond Nuclear Takoma Park, MD Ann Suellentrop M.S.R.N. Coordinator for Physicians for Social Responsibility - Dennis Nelson KC Support and Education for Radiation Victims, SERV Kansas City, KS Bethesda, MD

William S. Linnell Max Obuszewski Spokesperson, Baltimore Nonviolence Center Cheaper, Safer Power Baltimore, MD Portland, ME Tim Carpenter Bruce K. Gagnon Director Coordinator Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Northampton, MA Space Brunswick, ME Sandra Gavutis Executive Director Roger Leisner C-10 Research & Education Foundation Radio Free Maine Newburyport, MA Augusta, ME Mary Lampert, Director Lisa Savage Pilgrim Watch CODEPINK Maine Duxbury, MA Solon, ME Pat Granahan Wells R. Staley-Mays REACH (Responsible Energy Alternatives Coalition of Program and Community Organizer Hingham) Peace Action Maine Hingham, MA Portland, ME Rebecca Tippens, Director Michael Mariotte Center for Cultural Evolution, Inc Executive Director Colrain, MA Nuclear Information and Resource Service Takoma Park, MD The Enviro Show WXOJ-LP & WMCB Ken Bossong, Executive Director Florence, MA SUN DAY Campaign Takoma Park, MD David Agnew, Coordinator Cape Downwinders Dagmar Fabian, Secretary Harwich, MA Crabshell Alliance of Greater Baltimore Cockeysville, MD Kathryn Barnes Judy Treichel Don't Waste Michigan Nevada Nuclear Waste Task Force Sherwood, MI , NV

Michael J. Keegan, Chair Doug Bogen Coalition for a Nuclear-Free Great Lakes Executive Director Monroe, MI Seacoast Anti-Pollution League Exeter, NH Alice Hirt, Co-Chair Don't Waste Michigan Paula Gotsch Holland, MI Grandmothers, Mothers and More for Energy Safety (GRAMMES) Keith Gunter Normandy Beach, NJ Citizen's Resistance at Fermi Two Monroe, MI Lori Gold Genesis Farm Gladys Schmitz, SSND Blairstown, NJ Mankato Area Environmentalists Mankato, MN Susan Gordon, Director Alliance for Nuclear Accountability Christine Frank, Coordinator Santa Fe, NM Climate Crisis Coalition of the Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Marian Naranjo, Director Honor Our Pueblo Existence (H.O.P.E.) Lea Foushee Espanola, NM George Crocker North American Water Office Janet Greenwald Lake Elmo, MN Co-coordinator Citizens for Alternatives to Radioactive Dumping Mark Haim (CARD) Chair Albuquerque, NM Missourians for Safe Energy Columbia, MO Joni Arends, Executive Director Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety Paul April, Chairperson Santa Fe, NM Peoples Coalition (St. Louis) St. Louis, MO Lesley Weinstock, Co-coordinator Agua es Vida Action Team (AVAT) Chris Daum Albuquerque, NM President Oasis Montana Inc., Renewable Energy Supply & Jay Coghlan, Executive Director Design Nuclear Watch New Mexico Stevensville, MT Santa Fe, NM

Aaron Huckfeldt Greg Mello Operations Manager Los Alamos Study Group Donald's Drive In Albuquerque, NM Chadron, NE Alice Andrews shcj Mothers & Others United to Shut Down Indian Point New Paltz, NY Las Vegas, NV

Barbara Warren Manna Jo Greene, Environmental Director Executive Director Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc. Citizens' Environmental Coalition Beacon, NY Albany, NY Jim Warren, Executive Director Taffy Williams NC WARN New York Whale and Dolphin Action League Waste Awareness & Reduction Network Yonkers, NY Durham, NC

Peter Maniscalco Hope Taylor, MSPH, Exec Director Coordinator Clean Water for NC Renew Community Earth Durham, NC Manorville NY Wells Eddleman Judy Braiman Staff Scientist Empire State Consumer Project NC Citizens Research Group Rochester, NY Durham NC

Connie Hogarth Tom Bates, CSI, CDT President Hogarth Center for Social Action Robert Bates Company Manhattanville College Greensboro, NC Purchase, NY Mali Lightfoot Goshen Green Farms Director of Development Goshen, NY Foundation/NuclearFreePlanet.org Asheville, NC Public Health and Sustainable Energy Spring Valley, NY James Carroll Treasurer/Chair of Water Quality Team Arnold Gore Toe River Valley Watch Consumers Health Freedom Coalition Penland, NC New York, NY Ned Ryan Doyle, Co-Director Sister Jeanne Clark OP, Coordinator Our Southern Community Center Pax Christi Long Island Hendersonville, NC Amityville, NY Chris Trepal, Executive Director JK Canepa Earth Day Coalition Co-Founding Member Cleveland, OH New York Climate Action Group New York, NY Patricia A. Marida, chair Ohio Sierra Club Nuclear Issues Committee Charlotte Koons Columbus, OH Codepink LI Women for Peace Huntington, NY Linda Musmeci Kimball Oxford Citizens for Peace & Justice Ursula Rozum, staff organizer Oxford, OH Syracuse Peace Council Syracuse, NY Lisa Crawford, President Fernald Residents for Environmental Safety & Health, Frederick S. Bays, CEO Inc. (FRESH) Fred's Farms Harrison, OH Troupsburg, NY

Marcus Atkinson Dr. Titus North Nuclear Free Future Campaign Coordinator Executive Director Footprints for Peace Citizen Power Cincinnati, OH Pittsburgh, PA

Connie Kline, Director Nancy Tate & Robert Daniels II, coordinators Ohio CARE - Citizens Against a Radioactive Lehigh-Pocono Committee of Concern Environment LEPOCO Peace Center Willoughby Hills, OH Bethlehem, PA

Bob D. Rounsavell Charmaine White Face, Coordinator President Defenders of the Black Hills Carrie Dickerson Foundation Rapid City, SD Tulsa, OK Kathleen Ferris, Co-Founder B. Geary Citizens to End Nuclear Dumping in TN (ENDIT) Citizens Action for Safe Energy Murfreesboro, TN Tulsa, OK Irucka Embry, E.I.T. Nina Bell, J.D., Executive Director Principal Northwest Environmental Advocates EcoC2S (EcoCsquaredS) Portland, OR Nashville, TN

Lloyd K. Marbet Sandra Kurtz Executive Director Co-Founder Oregon Conservancy Foundation Bellefonte Efficiency & Sustainability Team Boring, OR Chattanooga, TN

Lynn Sims Faith Young Don't Waste Oregon Concerned Citizens of Tennessee Portland, OR Dixon Springs, TN

Jill Mackie David Harper Ashland, Oregon, Branch of Women's International Citizens for Smart Choices League for Peace & Freedom Hartsville, TN Ashland, OR Margaret Day, Chairperson Chuck Johnson, Director Alamo Group Sierra Club Center for Energy Research San Antonio, TX Portland, OR Jane Leatherman Van Praag Karen Barton, Coordinator President Bryn Mawr Peace Coalition Wilco Justice Alliance Bryn Mawr, PA Williamson County, TX

Holly Angelique Cletus Stein Academics for a Nuclear Free Future (ANUFF!) President of the Board Middletown, PA The Peace Farm Amarillo TX Ernest Fuller Concerned Citizens for SNEC Safety Cynthia Weehler Six Mile Run, PA Energía Mía San Antonio, TX

Brian Moench, MD Charlie Higley President Executive Director Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin Salt Lake City, UT Madison, WI

Steve Erickson, Director Al Gedicks, Executive Secretary Citizens Education Project Wisconsin Resources Protection Council Salt Lake City, UT Tomahawk, WI

Sarah M. Fields Marcia Halligan Program Director Kickapoo Peace Circle Uranium Watch Viroqua, WI Moab, UT Susan Michetti Brian Tokar, Director Chairperson Institute for Social Ecology Citizens of Mt Horeb Against Water Fluoridation Plainfield, VT Mt Horeb, WI

Debra Stoleroff Dante A Renzoni Vermont Yankee Decommissioning Alliance Owner Montpelier, VT Silent Glide Canoe and Kayak Shop LLC Medford, WI Elizabeth Champagne North Country Coalition for Justice and Peace Corey E. Olsen, Owner/Activist St. Johnsbury, VT CEO Pipe Organs/Golden Ponds Farm Delafield, WI Olga Kolotushkina Roanoke River Basin Association Peter Anderson, President Danville, VA RECYCLEWORLDS CONSULTING Madison, WI Gerry Pollet, JD; Executive Director, Heart of America Northwest Seattle, WA

Pat Rasmussen, Coordinator World Temperate Rainforest Network Olympia, WA

Chris Herman Interim President and Board Chair Edmonds Community Solar Cooperative Edmonds, WA

Pat Herbert Hanford Action League Vashon, WA

Chris Herman Owner Winter Sun Design Edmonds, WA