Local grassroots activists honored by NJEF

The New Jersey Environmental Federation (NJEF) honored local grassroots activists and critics of Oyster Creek Nuclear Power Plant license renewal, Janet Tauro, of Brick, and Paula Gotsch, of Normandy Beach, at its 20th annual conference held at Princeton University April 8.

The women were recognized for founding GRAMMES (Grandmothers and Mothers and More for Energy Safety) and for their mobilization of citizen groups, local activists and elected officials in calling of the closure of America's oldest nuclear plant Oyster Creek. Because of their efforts, a coalition of New Jersey activists have been the first group in the United States to successfully challenge the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and win intervener status and a public hearing on the relicensing.

The frustration of never getting answers on the safety and health issues surrounding the operation of Oyster Creek Nuclear Power Plant led Gotsch and Tauro to co-found GRAMMES in 2003.

"They spent the first six months gathering and researching all the issues related to the Oyster Creek facility including the design, safety and efficiency of the plant," said Jane Nogaki, vice president of the board of directors for New Jersey Environmental Federation (NJEF). "Networking with over 300 individuals and groups, GRAMMES has become a force to be reckoned with in the ongoing battle to bring the attention of corrosion of the dry-well liner of the nuclear reactor to the public and to stop the relicensing efforts."

The NJEF, a nonprofit organization fighting to protect natural resources and drinking water, reduce the use of pesticides, and clean up pollution, is the state chapter of Clean Water Action/Fund based in Washington, D.C.

Details: cleanwateraction.org/njef or (732) 280-8988.