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Tri-Valley CAREs

Tri-Valley CAREs works to strengthen global security by stopping the development of new nuclear weapons in the US and by promoting the elimination of nuclear weapons globally. Tri-Valley CAREs monitors nuclear weapons and environmental clean-up activities throughout the US nuclear weapons complex, with a special focus on the Lawrence Livermore Lab and surrounding communities.

Contact Information: 

Marylia Kelley (925) 443-7148

E-mail: 
marylia@trivalleycares.org
Key Staff: 

Marylia Kelley, Executive Director

Robert Schwartz, Staff Attorney

Janine Carmona, Outreach Director

Adrian Drummond-Cole, Program & Administrative Associate

My Website: 
Tri-Valley CAREs

Tri-Valley CAREs Board of Director's President Martha Priebat Writes About Her Concerns Over the Recent NIF Media Blitz
Feb10
Posted by TVC Administrator

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

By: Martha Priebat

Published in: The Valley Times

http://www.contracostatimes.com/letters/ci_14366235  (Scroll down to third letter or read below)

Dear Editor,

On January 28, 2010, Livermore Lab reported a “successful firing” of its NIF super laser. The timing of the Lab’s hype of this “success” with NIF is ironic given that just three days later LLNL asked congress for an additional $50 million for the NIF program over last year.

Despite its purported recent success, many scientists do not foresee ignition ever occurring at the facility as promised. Additionally, NIF has exceeded its original $600 million estimated life-time cost many times over (Now projected to be $6 billion). Additionally, the project originally promised ignition in 2000, but has since pushed that goal by an entire decade due to numerous technical problems, most of which continue to go unresolved.

This over budget, underperforming program continues to receive full funding because of its touted goal of “unlimited renewable energy.” Yet, only 15% of the research done with NIF is for non-weapons (including energy) related research. 85% is related to nuclear weapons R&D.

Further, the article ignores the issue of safety with regards to the releases of radioactive emissions from NIF inside the city limits of Livermore, close to homes, schools and shopping centers.

I find it difficult to celebrate this “successful firing.”

Sincerely,

Martha Priebat

Board President, Tri-Valley Communities Against a Radioactive Environment (CAREs)

Livermore, CA

 
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