Contents

1. Summary
2. Ambassador Bolton Resigns After Widespread Opposition
3. UCS Pushes for Better Nuclear Safety Standards
4. Congress Does Not Provide Funds for Flawed Nuclear Reprocessing Plan

Summary

This fall marked some major victories for global security. Most notable was John Bolton's announcement that he is resigning as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. His possible reappointment met widespread opposition including thousands of letters from activists like you. Your letters also helped ensure that the Bush administration's dangerous plans to "reprocess" the used fuel from commercial nuclear power reactors received no official funding this year. UCS also published a report on safety concerns in the nation's nuclear power plants.

Ambassador Bolton Resigns After Widespread Opposition

Great news! John Bolton has announced he will resign as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, abandoning the Bush administration's plans to have the Senate confirm his nomination.  In 2005, President Bush used a procedural maneuver to appoint Bolton to the post without Senate approval, but that appointment expires when the new Congress convenes this year. In his time at the UN, Bolton pursued a "my way or the highway" strategy that undermined U.S. foreign policy, alienated allies, and hurt our nation's security. In 2006, President Bush again sought Senate approval of Bolton so the ambassador could retain his post, but thanks to a wide spread campaign of opposition, including thousands of letters from UCS activists, the move failed. President Bush will nominate another candidate for the post sometime later this year.

UCS Pushes for Better Nuclear Safety Standards

In late September, many UCS activists wrote Congress to share their concerns about safety at commercial U.S. nuclear power plants. A new report published by UCS showed that among the 130 licensed nuclear power reactors in the United States, severe problems have caused 51 shut downs for a year or longer. UCS activists told Congress to press the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which oversees nuclear plants, to improve its work and report to Congress on how it is reaching its goals. At least one member of the House has drafted legislation recommended by the UCS report (which we will follow up on), and the House science committee is looking into related issues, so progress is being made.

Congress Does Not Provide Funds for Flawed Nuclear Reprocessing Plan

Earlier in the year, UCS activists asked Congress to cut funding for the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP), the Bush administration's misguided effort to "reprocess" the spent fuel, or waste, from commercial nuclear power reactors. Reprocessing separates plutonium from other highly radioactive elements contained in the spent fuel. Once it is separated from other waste, it much easier for terrorists to illicitly acquire the plutonium and use it to make a nuclear bomb. The House heard the message and sharply cut funding for GNEP, while the Senate provided full funding. After the 2006 election, Congress never finished its work, so GNEP, as a new program, will not get formal funding this year. This is a great success for UCS activists. Some money from older, associated programs, however, will likely still be used to fund GNEP-related work.