Two Upcoming LANL SWEIS Public Comment Preparation Workshops

March 13th, 2025 in Action Alerts / Events / Weekly News Updates
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Public comments for the draft Site-Wide Environmental Impact Statement for Continued Operations at Los Alamos National Laboratory are currently due on Thursday, April 10th.  CCNS, Tewa Women United, Three Sisters Collective, Communities for Clean Water and others will host two workshops to assist you in preparing your comments.

The first workshop will be held in person and virtually on Monday, March 24th at the offices of Tewa Women United at 1003 East Fairview Lane in Española from 6 pm to 8 pm.  It will focus on environmental justice and the impacts of continuing LANL operations on communities.  There is a limit of 20 participants for the in-person option.  https://tewawomenunited.org/

Arjun Makhijani, President of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research, or IEER, will present by zoom updated and completed technical reports about the proposed venting of radioactive hydrogen, or tritium, from four Flanged Tritium Waste Containers, FTWCs, currently stored at LANL’s Area G waste site.  https://ieer.org/

Chenoa Scippio, the Tewa Women United Environmental Justice Program Project Coordinator, will present another matter of grave public concern.  She will speak about LANL’s proposed Electrical Power Capacity Upgrade Project to install a third electrical line across the sacred Caja del Rio Plateau.  https://tewawomenunited.org/

The second workshop on Sunday, March 30 from 1 pm to 5 pm will focus on Weapons and the Impact on Communities.  It will be held in person at Three Sisters Collective Studio at 1350 Calle de Comercio, Unit A, in Santa Fe.  There will be a 30-minute break between 2:30 pm and 3 pm.  The workshop will be filmed and be posted on the web.  https://threesisterscollective.org/

Myrriah Gómez, author of Nuclear Nuevo México:  Colonialism and the Effects of the Nuclear Industrial Complex on Nuevomexicanos, will talk about the public processes available in the National Environmental Policy Act as implemented in the LANL SWEIS process, with a focus on providing comments about the final SWEIS document.  https://uapress.arizona.edu/book/nuclear-nuevo-mexico

Joni Arends, a co-founder of CCNS, will give an overview of timelines for previous SWEISs and note that LANL says this current SWEIS will be in effect until 2040.  https://nuclearactive.org/

Ryan Ramaker, the Tewa Women United Environmental Justice Program Project Coordinator, will include key facts about LANL’s proposed water use, air emissions, waste generation and other related issues.  https://tewawomenunited.org/

Additional speakers will be confirmed shortly.

Sample public comments, talking points, fact sheets, calls to action and other organizing tools will be made available for your use.

To pre-register for the workshops, please go to:  http://bit.ly/4iM42I0

For more information:  https://nuclearactive.org/public-comment-period-for-draft-lanl-sweis-extended-to-april-10th/

Archived materials from the 2005 – 2008 Clean Up, Don’t Build Up Campaign – The draft SWEIS for LANL:  https://www.nuclearactive.org/docs/2005SWEISbackground.html  These pages include additional information about 1999 final LANL SWEIS.

  1. Join us on Friday, March 14th from noon to 1 pm at the intersection of East Alameda and Sandoval for the weekly one-hour peaceful protest for nuclear disarmament. Join the weekly peaceful protest with Veterans for Peace, CCNS, Nuclear Watch NM, Loretto Community, New Mexico Peace Fest, Pax Christi and others. Bring your flags, signs and banners and join in the conversation for nuclear disarmament. 

 

 

  1. Thursday, March 13th at 5:30 pm at Los Alamos Nature Center, “Electrification Town Hall.” How will Los Alamos County handle growing electric demands?  What if everyone goes all in on electric?  What changes will be made to the grid?  More information at https://www.losalamosnm.us/Events-Directory/Town-hall-meeting-on-electrification

 CCNS questions: Will the Electrical Power Capacity Upgrade (EPCU) Project be needed with the import of 170 MW from the Foxtail Flats Solar + Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility in San Juan County?  How much electrical energy will be used to support the planned expanded plutonium pit production at LANL? 

 

 

  1. Friday, March 21st – Uniting Humanity for Peace, Justice, and Inclusion. Message from Ghassan Shahrour, MD, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW)

Dear Colleagues,

March 21st epitomizes the “day of days,” representing a profound convergence of diverse celebrations and observances resonating on local, regional, and global scales. This day serves as a focal point for advocating crucial global issues, including the pursuit of peace and harmony. In 2025, its significance is greater than ever, as the world faces escalating environmental challenges, deepening conflicts, widespread injustice, the proliferation of arms, and wars that obstruct the path to peace. Racial discrimination, apartheid, and ethnic cleansing continue to threaten human dignity and unity, making the calls for justice, coexistence, and reconciliation more urgent than ever.

This day also serves as an opportunity for governments, civil societies, media, the private sector, and organizations focused on peace, justice, environmental sustainability, disability rights, human rights, disarmament, and culture to come together in a united effort. By collaborating, these organizations can amplify their impact, raising awareness and advocating for the necessary actions to address the world’s most pressing challenges. Through such cooperation, they can enhance each other’s efforts and achieve far-reaching results in fostering global peace, justice, and unity.

Among the key observances, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing fight against prejudice and injustice. In a world where intolerance and discrimination persist, this day underscores the necessity of fostering environments of tolerance and respect—fundamental pillars of peace and human security.

World Poetry Day adds a creative dimension, offering a voice to the marginalized and promoting dialogue and understanding through the power of words. Amid growing divisions, and the spread of disinformation and misinformation, poetry remains a universal language that bridges cultures, inspires change, and celebrates diversity.

The International Day of Forests highlights the interconnectedness of all life and the urgent need to protect nature. Environmental degradation, climate change, and deforestation exacerbate global inequalities and conflicts, making the preservation of forests essential for both ecological balance and global stability.

World Down Syndrome Day advocates for inclusion and acceptance, values essential for building peaceful societies where every individual has the right to thrive. This day reminds us that we are one, though we are not the same. As conflicts and crises disproportionately affect the most vulnerable, it reinforces the importance of fostering inclusive and empowering communities.

International Nowruz Day, recognized by UNESCO and the UN, symbolizes renewal, reconciliation, and the hope for a better future. In times of war and division, Nowruz’s message of harmony and goodwill among diverse cultures is more relevant than ever, reinforcing the importance of unity and peaceful coexistence.

World Puppetry Day also celebrates puppetry as a global art form that preserves cultural heritage, educates communities, and fosters social change. It promotes storytelling, creativity, and advocacy through performances, workshops, and diverse awareness campaigns. Puppetry serves as a powerful tool for entertainment, education, and humanitarian causes worldwide.

March 21st also marks Mother’s Day in the Arab region—a time to honor and appreciate the remarkable mothers who nurture families and communities, often serving as pillars of resilience and peace in the face of adversity.

As these international observances intersect, they weave a rich tapestry of compassion, activism, and celebration, reinforcing the urgent need for a more just and peaceful world.

On this special day, I extend warm wishes to all, embracing the spirit of the “Day of Days.”

Let us reaffirm our collective commitment to building a future where justice, equality, and peace prevail—everywhere and for all.

All the best

Ghassan Shahrour, MD

ghassan.dr@gmail.com

 

 

  1. Monday, March 24th at 5:30 pm MDT virtual event – A New Generation of Nuclear Lies: Small Modular Reactors and Nuclear Plant Reopenings/Relicensing.  Speakers:  Paul Gunter, M.V. Ramana, and Linda Pentz Gunter.  Register now at https://masspeace.us/NuclearLies

 

 

  1. Thursday, March 27th from 2 to 3 MDT – SAVE the DATE! The Union of Concerned Scientists invites you to a training webinar on how to write and submit a comment to hold Los Alamos National Laboratory accountable for expansion risks and advocate for proper protection of the public and the environment.  To register:  https://secure.ucsusa.org/a/2025-3-27-lanl-public-comment-training?ms=TAF
 

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