CAN's Beliefs

  1. Ordinary people can and must understand the social scientific and technological aspects of the nuclear fuel chain to adequately protect their community from radioactive and toxic pollution. Communities must regain control from nuclear polluters and governmental agencies that undermine the democratic process and fail to put public health and safety and the environment ahead of corporate need.
  2. It is imperative that reactor and waste dump communities work together to end the cycle of contamination. Just as CAN opposes the contamination of its own community, we will continue to fight for the protection of waste dump communities. You can not clean up your own backyard by dumping it into someone else's. This is CAN's Ethics of Waste philosophy, we must end the cycle of contamination and sacrifice.
  3. Decommissioning reactors must utilize long-term (60 yr.) on-site cool down, prior to dismantlement. This method of decommissioning minimizes the amount of radioactivity released into our communities, the level of exposure to the workers, and the volume of radioactive waste to be disposed of in a waste dump community. CAN believes that radioactive waste must be maintained on-site until a permanent scientifically sound, environmentally just solution is created.
  4. Nuclear technology must be phased out and a sustainable energy plan be implemented that utilizes conservation, efficiency, and de-centralized renewable power production.
  5. The continued operation of reactors as perpetuated by their sale to unregulated, global corporations is unacceptable. These corporations have no direct connection to the host community and will cut safety measures to make a profit, endangering the health and safety of all living things in proximity to the reactor. CAN opposes their intention to relicense deteriorating reactors and build new nukes on old sites.
  6. CAN does not advocate violence as a solution to these problems. All of the methods utilized are non-violent, such as street theatre, humor, legal rallies, letter writing, direct action, legal intervention, Nuclear Regulatory Commission intervention, attending and speaking out at public hearings and forums, house parties, canvassing, etc. The goal to empower, educate, and engage citizens and community leaders to create a nuclear free northeast.
  7. CAN chapters commit themselves to working independently on their respective local battles and recognize the importance of supporting the other chapter's battles when possible. Chapters also work collectively on large regional goals and events.
  8. It is an unacceptable fact that nuclear power plants routinely and regularly release radioactive waste into our air and water and that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission supports the illegitimate taking of our people's lives and livelihoods.
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