Las Vegas CBS Workshop
July 26th, we met up with our team from NC State and Native Nuclear at the Santa Fe Station Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. We were excited to host this workshop and here from people who might have lots of history and feelings due to both Yucca Mountain and also the nearby atomic testing site.
In preparing for these workshops, we met with several local policymakers. The state of Nevada seems to be a vehement NO! to any conversations related to Yucca Mountain or even hinting at reviving the facility, but lots of small local groups and counties recognize the economic benefit it would bring to their area and are strong supporters, even given the potential public branding of being a nuclear waste dump. As you might guess, we don’t like to call it that and would do our best, no matter what the future brings, to frame used fuel storage as having low negative impacts in terms of human health and nature, and also boosting a strong vision of nuclear supporting a transition to a clean energy future.
Lisa Marshall gives the introduction to our program - what are doing here? We have to be very clear - we are NOT trying to bring nuclear waste to your backyard.
yet… ;-)
We had a pretty great turnout.
Samantha arranging Native Nuclear fliers, stickers, and hats
Fereshteh, talking with local policy-makers
Nuclear enthusiasts! Have you ever heard the idea for geocaching, but with radiation sources instead of GPS?! We know someone if you want to get involved.
Radiochemistry students from UNLV
We’re a full service team that usually does all our own event planning, media, advertising, filming, hosting… all the stuff. Once in a while, we’re lucky enough that other filmmakers want to learn about what we’re doing and help tell the story.
We’re excited to share more soon!
During their visit to Las Vegas, Heather and Fereshteh visited the Atomic Museum. Part of our diligence as nuclear advocates includes attempting to understand lots of interconnected issues, and being emotionally available to respond to people with concerns that might not even be directly connected to nuclear energy. The atomic age began out of necessity during war times, and while this technology now has many peaceful uses, there is a lot of history and to make sense of. We didn’t necessarily enter the museum expecting to cry so much. But we both did.
Iin preparation for our visit to Las Vegas, we came across this article detailing some of the impacts to locals from being near the Nevada Test Site
We took a photo matching the one in the article from The Nevada Independent. We’re not trying to be cheeky, but want to show that we can advocate for nuclear energy and also be informed and concerned about a checkered history with nuclear technology.
Uranium glass exhibit at the museum. This is very similar to the one Heather’s father displayed in his gem and mineral museaum called Irons in the Fire, whether Heather and her school classmates often when for field trips when Heather was growing up.
The UV exhibit at Irons in the Fire, Top of the World, Arizona. Also features an Eye of the Storm, which Heather has on a shelf in her guest bedroom today (because what guest wouldn’t want to play! with electricity!).