Materials related to the social movement that opposed the construction and operation of nuclear power generating plants in California. The bulk of the collection, dating from the late 1970s and early 1980s, consists of materials collected by August S. "Bill" Carstens (1904-1988) concerning opposition to the licensing of Units 2 and 3 of the San Onofre nuclear power plant in San Diego County, and materials dealing with the attempt to construct the Sundesert nuclear power plant. The collection consists mostly of photocopies. Included are transcripts of hearings before various state and federal regulatory commissions, along with supporting documents; transcripts of court actions; environmental impact reports; miscellaneous reports relating to nuclear power; and copies of correspondence.
August S. Carstens Collection, 1958 - 1984 (MSS 42)
Extent: 62 Linear feet (61 records cartons, 1 archives box, 1 flat box)
The August S. Carstens Collection documents individuals and organizations involved in the social movement that opposed the construction and operation of nuclear power generating facilities, chiefly in California.
The materials were collected by August S. "Bill" Carstens (1904-1988), a successful East Coast insurance executive prior to his retirement to La Jolla in the early 1970s. Beginning in 1973, Carstens began to take an active interest in issues surrounding the safety of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) in northern San Diego County. Using his own substantial financial resources and drawing on the legal expertise of Richard J. Wharton of the University of San Diego, Carstens mounted an effort to impede the licensing of Units 2 and 3 at San Onofre. Carstens also participated in a successful campaign to block the construction of the San Diego Gas and Electric Company's Sundesert nuclear power plant. Of special concern to Carstens and his associates was the location of nuclear plants on or near active earthquake faults. Carstens provided the UCSD library with much of the documentation surrounding his anti-nuclear efforts. This documentation included court evidence, transcripts of hearings, environmental impact reports, and information relating to the energy needs of Southern California residents.
Additional materials regarding the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant were subsequently acquired.
The August S. Carstens Collection contains materials related to the construction and licensing of three California nuclear power plants: San Onofre (SONGS), Sundesert, and Diablo Canyon. The materials mainly document the legal battles that surrounded these plants and include transcripts of court sessions, regulatory commission hearings, court exhibits, and supporting documents. Although the collection spans the years 1958 to 1984, the bulk dates from the late 1970s and early 1980s. Most of the materials are photocopies or near-print reports.
Arranged in four series: 1) SAN ONOFRE, 2) SUNDESERT, 3) DIABLO CANYON, and 4) MISCELLANY.