EDITORIAL: RENEWABLE ENERGY—A CONSERVATIVE APPROACH
Printer-friendly version By Tracy Emblem October 18, 2009 (San Diego)–No new nuclear power plants have been built in the United States since the late 1970’s. Recently however, Senator Lamar Alexander from Tennessee unveiled the Republican blueprint to build 100 nuclear power plants in the United States within the next 20 years. Apparently the lessons learned from the 1986 Chernobyl power plant reactor meltdown that caused the worst nuclear accident ever have been forgotten. In the United States in 1979, we almost had a similar accident when a partial meltdown occurred at Three Mile Island but the reactor was brought under control just in time. Why the rush to build nuclear power plants again? Thirty years later, we have not solved the dilemma of storing nuclear waste or the problem of what to do with the weapons-grade plutonium. It only takes about 18 pounds of plutonium to build a nuclear weapon. In the United States, more than 60,000 metric tons of nuclear waste is stored in temporary storage facilities at 131 civilian and military sites around the country. The current storage solutions are only expected to last 100 years, while nuclear waste can remain lethal for 100,000 years or more. We must also consider the weapons proliferation risk in an age of transnational terrorism in addition to the risk of an environmental accident. These are just some reasons why we must adopt alternative renewable energy standards and use renewable energy sources rather than build 100 more nuclear power plants. A conservative solution is to invest in clean energy sources that do not pose risks inherent in nuclear energy production and storage. These sources include creating bio-energy from plant matter or animal waste. For example, in Northern California, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and BioEnergy Solutions are building an innovative bio-gas project in Fresno County to deliver renewable natural gas derived from animal waste, reducing the carbon footprint at its source. And in San Diego, San Diego Gas and Electric Company has announced a partnership in a wind project on the Campo reservation using renewable energy. In Germany, the photovoltaic industry generates jobs in production, distribution and installation of solar energy. In the United States, we can rebuild our manufacturing base by investing in renewable energy sources while creating good paying jobs that provide clean energy production. While those in favor of building nuclear power plants claim nuclear energy is inexpensive and cost effective, they have not factored in the costs and risks associated with the building and maintenance of storage facilities for nuclear waste. The United States should lead the world away from the dangerous expansion of nuclear power plants. We should phase out our nuclear energy plants over the next generation and continue to invest in other renewable energy sources which make energy costs more predictable in the future. Tracy Emblem is an attorney and a Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress, California’s 50th District. The opinions expressed here reflect those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. If you wish to submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org. Printer-friendly version
GOVERNOR SIGNS FIVE KEHOE BILLS INTO LAW
Printer-friendly versionSACRAMENTO – Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) announced today that Gov. Schwarzenegger recently signed five of her bills into law, including ones dealing with redevelopment funds, solar energy, and hybrid vehicles. “I’m grateful for the governor’s support of these bills that will improve the quality of life for Californians,” Kehoe said. “Government can work for the people, and I think the public will see that with these new laws.” Below are descriptions of the bills provided by Senator Kehoe’s office: Redevelopment Limits (SB 93): This law restricts redevelopment agencies from moving funds for blighted areas to projects with little to no benefit to taxpayers within the blighted community. Clean Energy Production (SB 412): This law extends the deadline and broadens the number of clean energy technologies eligible for receiving state incentives for generating cleaner and more efficient energy. Seatless Bicycles (SB 527) This law allows bicycles designed to operate without a seat to be legally ridden on streets. This change will allow companies building these bicycles in California to market them in-state, increase their production, and create more jobs for local economies. Plug-In Hybrids (SB 626): This law makes it easier to deploy plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles in California by addressing infrastructure needs. Electricity Rates (SB 695): This law ensures that utility customers pay the real cost of electricity, rather than rates which have varied greatly since the state energy crisis in 2001. It also creates more competition by allowing businesses to shop for the best energy deal. View the text of all the bills signed into law and click on “legislation.” Printer-friendly version
XE (BLACKWATER) CONTRACT CANCELED BY SOUTHWESTERN COLLLEGE
Printer-friendly version College Board responds to Public Outcry October 18, 2009 (Chula Vista) – On October 14, Southwestern College District Governing Board approved cancellation of its agreement with Xe . The agreement allowed the college’s law enforcement students to use a training facility in Otay Mesa operated by Xe Systems LLC, the company formerly known as Blackwater. Blackwater, which gained notoriety for its activities in Iraq, was also the center of controversy in East County, where the company sought to open a private military training base at Potrero but withdrew following massive public opposition. “To save a few bucks, you basically sold out your souls and made a pact with the devil,” Congressman Bob Filner told college board members at an April 15th board meeting. “These are bad guys. They have killed innocent civilians in Iraq, and they lost their contract with the State Department for so doing." Filner added, "When they have one of their employees wounded or killed, you should see what they do to the parents. They don’t give them any information. They lock them out of any knowledge. This is not a good company.” Blackwater’s notoriety includes the massacre of 17 civilians in Iraq by Blackwater employees, the FBI found. In another now-infamous incident, four Blackwater employees were ambushed and hanged off a bridge in Baghdad, triggering the siege of Fallujah. Relatives of the slain employees have sued Blackwater, alleging the company failed to provide essential protections for its workers. The contract with Southwestern College, first disclosed in January 2009, originally included provisions that compensated Blackwater for staff time and allowed Blackwater to use SWC on-campus conference rooms for any purpose and for an unlimited period of time. It also included a “gag-order” in which the board could not say anything about the agreement to the public without the prior written approval of Blackwater, Citizens Oversight Projects (COPS), a watchdog group, revealed. Nine changes were made to the agreement after these issues were brought to light through a written complaint by COPs , eliminating what the group argued were the most egregious provisions. However, the college continued to use the Otay Mesa facility despite other facilities being available. COPS expressed concern that Blackwater could use the college campus to recruit students for mercenary activities. “I went to every shooting range in the county and gave them a list of alternatives,” Veronica Lavarello, a Stop Blackwater activist, said. “There were several options that were not considered by the college, and those were free or almost free to use.” “Blackwater’s goal was to sanitize their soiled reputation by changing their name to Xe-Systems LLC and partnering with the College,” said Ray Lutz, coordinator of COPs. “They wanted students to come to their facility and see how glamorous a life as a mercenary could be, the free use of the facility serving as a way to advertise their own training programs and perhaps convince the students to give up a career as a police officer or Sheriffs deputy and instead pursue a career path as a mercenary soldier war profiteer.” Opponents of the agreement from around the county attended every meeting of the college board since January 2009 adamantly requesting that the contract be canceled, videotaped the meetings, and protested outside, sometimes interrupting the meeting with the chants to “Stop Blackwater.” The cancellation was approved by the board just after the two-year anniversary of the Nisour Square massacre, where on September 16, 2007, Blackwater contractors killed 17 innocent civilians and injured scores more in a 30-minute shooting spree in Baghdad. An investigation by the FBI eventually held five Blackwater contractors responsible for the killings, but stated that Blackwater Worldwide had no responsibility whatsoever, even though the contractors were trained by Blackwater. Early in 2009, Blackwater changed its name to “Xe Systems, LLC”, pronounced “Zee,” and the first draft of the agreement with Southwestern College still included the name Blackwater. “I hope people will see through their public relations game and continue to recognize a problem when they see it,” Lutz said. Action on the agreement includes a contractually specified four-month delay, although there is no penalty for the college to discontinue use of the facility immediately and use other shooting ranges, such as the range in Miramar which is run by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. In March, 2008, Blackwater pulled the plug on controversial plans to develop an 824-acre private military training facility in Potrero, a tiny hamlet in east San Diego County, about an hour from San Diego. That move followed intense resistance by the Potrero community that drew international media attention, including the recall of five pro-Blackwater members of the Potrero Community Planning Group. Citizens replaced those planners with members who eventually voted against the project. Blackwater stated that it withdrew its plans for Potrero due to the inability to meet County noise requirements. A month later, COPs learned of a secret facility developed by Blackwater under pseudonyms “Raven Development” and “Southwest Law Enforcement” in Otay Mesa. The City of San Diego refused to issue occupancy permits when City Planners learned of the true extent of the 66,000 square foot facility, but Blackwater took the city to federal court, where Judge Marilyn Huff, a George H. W. Bush appointee, ruled in favor of Blackwater, thereby forcing the city to accept the warfare training facility without discretionary review. This Otay Mesa facility was the subject of the agreement with Southwestern College. Southwestern College District serves 18,000 students annually and is located in the extreme south-west corner of the continental United States between the City of San Diego and the U.S.-Mexico international border. Printer-friendly version
POWER SHOP FOR A CURE
Printer-friendly version OCTOBER 18, 2009 (La Mesa) – Want to save money on some early holiday shopping–and help raise money for breast cancer patients and their families? October is the 25th Anniversary of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. On Saturday, October 24th, Grossmont Center is offering an all-day “Power Shop For A Cure” from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 100% of proceeds from this one-day shopping and dining discount event will benefit Sharp Grossmont Hospital’s Breast Health Navigator Program, which provides personalized information and guidance for breast cancer patients and their families. A $20 donation is required. In addition to discounts from more than 30 mall participants, event festivities include a one-mile Wake-Up and Walk with local TV personality Carol LeBeau, free breakfast at Panera Bread, event t-shirt, tote bag, health fair and more. Participants should sign up online and wear an event t-shirt! Secret Shoppers will be out all-day surprising shoppers with more ways to “power shop” even longer. To get your event wristband and giveaways, bring your donation receipt and identification to the Pink Power Shop Stop in Macy’s courtyard beginning at 7:30am on the morning of the event. PURCHASE YOUR $20 EVENT TICKET https://www.82sharp.sharp.com/Sections.asp?dblink=1&ServLink=115&ClassLink=2738&Survey DOWNLOAD EVENT BROCHURE http://www.grossmontcenter.com/images/stories/Power_Shop_for_A_Cure.pdf Sponsors: Grossmont Shopping Center – Panera Bread – Lava Sport & Fitness – Pepsi Printer-friendly version