Nuclear Contamination

Greens support and promote a healthy environment for present and future generations. Therefore, we oppose oppose the use of nuclear power, which cannot be produced safely nor can nuclear reactor wastes be disposed of safely.

Ionizing radiation is inherently injurious to life. While unavoidable background levels of such radiation exist, we must minimize future releases of human-created radiation into the environment. Any increase in radiation exposure adds to the cumulative damage of living organisms.
 
Historically, nuclear electric energy was a spin-off from nuclear weapons production for the military. It gave an ideological justification for continued proliferation of nuclear technology around the world. It served to make nuclear fission appear more benevolent, and promoted the myth that nuclear power was cheap and safe. It is neither
 
The Green Party calls for a halt to nuclear contamination and to the continued production of nuclear wastes: 
 
Halt mining of uranium, much of which occurs on indigenous peoples' lands here and on other continents.
 
Halt all U.S. research and development of new nuclear weapons systems and continue dismantling existing stocks.
 
Stop U.S. involvement in international proliferation of nuclear weapons, and ratify a meaningful Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. [see Disarmament plank]
 
Adopt a policy for the safest possible storage of existing radioactive materials, and discontinue attempting their "disposal" in land repositories.
 
Rapidly phase out production of electric power from nuclear sources, decommission all existing nuclear power plants, and the construction of any new nuclear power plants.
 
Curtail the medical profession's overuse of radioactive isotopes in diagnostic and treatment procedures, and increase research for alternatives.
 
Recycle medical radioactive materials when possible, and develop storage-to-decay facilities for short-lived medical wastes.
 
Ban shallow land disposal and incineration of all radioactive wastes.
 
Overturn the federal Price-Anderson Act, which limits the liability of the nuclear industry in the event of nuclear accidents.
 
Hold all nuclear power producers responsible in perpetuity for the radioactive wastes they generate.
 
Establish strong, enforceable penalties for radioactive contamination of the environment.
 
Disallow "deregulation" of any level of wastes to "Below Regulatory Concern" (BRC) status, or their use in consumer products.
 
Establish independent monitoring networks for all military and civilian nuclear facilities.
 
Ban ionizing radiation of food products.
 
Ban nuclear materials in international transportation and trade.
 
Ban nuclear materials aboard craft launched into space.
 
Limit the use of radioactive materials in science except under state of the art standards and scientific monitoring techniques.