May 19 Day of Action to Keep Oregon Nuclear-Free
By Kelly Campbell
Mark your calendar for the Keep Oregon Nuclear-Free Day of Action on May 19. Whether you can make it to Salem to meet with your legislators in person, or join a virtual meeting, we need your help to ensure that the Oregon legislature hears loud and clear that Oregonians do not want costly and dirty nuclear reactors in our state.
Of the whopping 13 pro-nuclear bills that were introduced this session, only two bills (HB 2410 and HB 2038) are still moving forward. We know that new nuclear power is not the answer: it is too costly, too dirty, and too late to be part of Oregon’s clean energy future. Unfortunately, big tech companies like Amazon are bankrolling this nuclear fantasy. Let’s make sure our legislators know that these bills should not pass.
HB 2410- The Umatilla Exemption Bill
The most destructive bill left is HB 2410, which would exempt Umatilla County from the statewide moratorium on building new nuclear reactors.This would render Umatilla County a nuclear sacrifice zone, storing high level nuclear waste with no place to go, despite legal requirements that this type of waste must be isolated from people and the environment for hundreds of thousands of years.
At the House Energy and Environment Committee work session on this bill, Vice-Chair Bobby Levy, the chief sponsor of the bill, misrepresented the position of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), stating that the Tribe supported the bill, even though they opposed, prompting CTUIR to quickly issue a press release correcting the record after the committee voted to advance the bill.
This bill is an attempted end run around the state’s long standing moratorium on building new nuclear reactors which requires a federal waste repository and a vote of the people of Oregon to overturn it. Since the bill only requires a vote of the people of Umatilla County, people in neighboring counties that could also be negatively impacted have no say in the matter.
HB 2038- Nuclear Study Bill
Another pro-nuclear bill, HB 2038 also passed the committee. This bill would require the Oregon Department of Energy to study nuclear power. In its original form, the bill required studying the “advantages” of nuclear power without studying any “disadvantages.” The bill passed in amended form that makes the study less one-sided and includes language around Tribal consultation, however, it’s still a dangerous distraction from the real challenge of meeting Oregon’s clean energy goals, diverting time and funding from the Oregon Department of Energy.
Tell your legislators: Reject HB 2410 and HB 2038. Keep Umatilla County and all of Oregon Nuclear Free!
RSVP now for the day of action on Monday, May 19, 2025
For those of you who can make it to Salem: We’ll kick off the day by connecting with fellow advocates over coffee, followed by a brief lobby training session to help you feel confident and prepared. Then, we’ll head to the Capitol together for scheduled meetings with your legislators.
For those joining virtually: we’ll provide training and talking points for your meetings with legislators.
What: Day of Action to Keep Oregon Nuclear-Free
When: Monday, May 19, 2025 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: State Capital building in Salem, or virtually
Who: Columbia Riverkeeper, coalition partners and you!
Once you sign up for the Day of Action, we’ll be in touch about all the logistics: setting up meetings with your legislators, talking points to use, carpooling, and food.
