Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility

We're at a critical moment in the legislative session—your voice can make the difference right now. 

Oregon has long been a leader in standing up for safe, sustainable energy—but that’s at risk. Two nuclear energy bills—HB 2038 and HB 2410—are gaining traction in the legislature. HB 2038 launches a state study, and HB 2410 opens the door to a nuclear project in Umatilla County with just a local vote. We’ve seen how these kinds of decisions can impact our health and environment for generations.

Now is the time to act

Our priority is to defeat HB 2410.  Your voice is essential. Reach out to your local state legislators and contact the Co-Chairs of the Ways and Means Committee. You can find your representatives here: https://geo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=fd070b56c975456ea2a25f7e3f4289d1

Ways and Means Co-Chairs:

• Kate Lieber
  • [email protected]
  • 503-986-1714
• Tawna Sanchez
  • [email protected]
  • 503-986-1443

Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Natural Resources Co-Chairs:

• Senator Lew Frederick
  • [email protected]
  • 503-986-1722
• Representative Emerson Levy
  • [email protected]
  • 503-986-1453

Sample Phone Scripts:

Public Health & Radiation Risks

Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I’m calling as a health advocate in [Your City or County] to ask you to urge the co-chairs of the Ways and Means Committee to vote NO on HB 2410.

Nuclear energy puts public health at risk. Radiation exposure can cause cancer, thyroid disease, birth defects, and more—and women and children are most vulnerable.

We need to protect Oregonians, not expose them to preventable harm.

Environmental Contamination & Community Health

Hi, this is [Your Name], and I’m a health advocate calling from [Your City or County]. Please ask the co-chairs of the Ways and Means Committee to vote NO on HB 2410.

Nuclear energy could turn SMNR sites into toxic nuclear waste zones, contaminating water, farmland, and the air we all rely on.

Oregon’s communities deserve clean water, clean air, and a safe future—not radioactive risk.

Long-Term Health Costs & Emergency Preparedness

Hi, I’m [Your Name], a health advocate in [Your City or County]. I’m asking you to speak up and urge the co-chairs of the Ways and Means Committee to vote NO on HB 2410.

This bill fast-tracks risky nuclear development and weakens oversight, increasing the chance of accidents with devastating health consequences.

We can’t afford the human or financial cost of a nuclear disaster in Oregon.

Sample Email Talking Points

• We should never allow one county to override state statutes that protect the health of all Oregonians.
• Nuclear power plants require enormous taxpayer subsidies for construction, operation, and decommissioning, adding to the financial burden of Oregonians. 
• SMNR sites will become temporary (and potentially permanent) nuclear waste repositories, contaminating drinking water sources, agricultural lands, and harming the health of nearby residents and those  “downwind” and “downstream”.
• Exposure to radiation can be acute, chronic and cumulative. It can result in radiation sickness, genetic defects, birth defects, liver and kidney damage, thyroid disease, leukemia, other cancers and death. New research shows that women and children suffer the most.
• SMNRs require large amounts of water, and communities across Oregon already experience water shortages, groundwater pollution and threats to drinking water. We cannot waste this essential resource to power AI data centers and line the pockets of tech billionaires. 
• Recent executive orders have been signed that would reduce vital regulations on nuclear energy. With the current push by the federal government to embrace nuclear energy, it is too risky for Oregon to pursue our own projects. Without a strong regulatory framework, we increase the likelihood of environmental damage including a disastrous meltdown, putting thousands in danger. 

Oregon is not a testing ground for nuclear power experiments. Together we can stop HB 2410.  If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me, Regna Merritt, at [email protected]