Eye on the Issues

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we speak with Mary Beth Brangan, a longtime advocate and expert in the nuclear debate, about the dangers of nuclear waste storage and what she thinks Wyoming citizens and lawmakers should know before moving forward with any proposals. Mary Beth is the director and producer of "San Onofre Syndrome: Nuclear Power’s Legacy," a documentary that examines the troubling history of the San Onofre nuclear power plant in California. She shares firsthand knowledge of what went wrong at that facility and how it became a cautionary tale for communities across the country.
During the conversation, Mary Beth explains how San Onofre, situated between Los Angeles and San Diego, was shut down in 2013 due to serious safety concerns, including whistleblower reports of regulatory failures and dangerous radioactive leaks. However, even after the plant was closed, the problems didn’t end. The spent nuclear fuel was placed in thin-walled containers just 100 feet from the ocean, despite the rising sea levels and the increasing risk of environmental catastrophe. She describes how these containers were not designed for long-term storage, yet the industry continues to push for similar solutions across the country, including potential storage sites in places like Wyoming.
As Wyoming lawmakers consider allowing nuclear waste storage in the state, Mary Beth warns that history has shown time and again how the nuclear industry prioritizes cost-cutting over safety. She highlights how recent legislation, including the Nuclear Advance Act, has weakened regulations even further, placing efficiency for the industry above necessary safety measures. She also raises concerns about transporting this highly radioactive material across the country, pointing to the risks of train derailments and leaks during transit.
One of the biggest selling points for nuclear waste storage in Wyoming has been the claim that it could bring in up to four billion dollars annually. Mary Beth challenges this idea by emphasizing that no amount of money can undo the long-term health and environmental damage caused by radioactive contamination. She explains how exposure to nuclear waste leads to serious health risks, including thyroid disorders, kidney disease, heart problems, and reproductive issues. Once contamination occurs, it is nearly impossible to reverse, making it a permanent threat to land, water, and people.
She also discusses the broader nuclear energy debate, including the push for smaller reactors like the one being proposed in Kemmerer, Wyoming. While some argue that newer designs are safer, she points out that recent studies have shown these reactors could actually produce more waste and present even greater challenges for storage and disposal.
For Wyoming residents who care about protecting their state’s natural resources and communities, this interview provides an important perspective on the risks that come with nuclear waste storage. Mary Beth urges decision-makers to carefully examine the industry’s track record and recognize that the promises made today may not hold up when it comes to long-term safety and accountability.

In this compelling episode of Eye on the Issues, we delve into the urgent and unavoidable dangers of nuclear waste storage with Gary Headrick, founder of San Clemente Green. As Wyoming contemplates opening its doors to become a repository for nuclear waste, this conversation is a stark warning about the industry’s long-standing failures and unresolved issues.
Gary shares his firsthand experience with the decommissioning of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station in California, where 3.6 million pounds of nuclear waste remain perilously stored just 100 feet from the Pacific Ocean. Despite assurances from the industry, this waste is housed in thin-walled canisters that were never designed for long-term safety. These canisters, plagued by risks of corrosion, stress fractures, and hydrogen buildup, represent a ticking time bomb that could have catastrophic consequences if even one fails.
The industry’s approach to nuclear waste management has consistently prioritized cost-cutting and expediency over safety and transparency. Gary recounts the troubling experiences of whistleblowers at San Onofre, who were retaliated against for raising concerns about safety violations. These revelations, combined with the failures of poorly designed steam generators that lasted only 11 months instead of 40 years, highlight the systemic negligence that plagues the nuclear industry.
As Wyoming considers becoming a storage site for nuclear waste, Gary emphasizes the critical lessons that must be learned. Currently under consideration, the Nuclear Waste Administration Act of 2024 is presented as a solution, but it fails to address fundamental safety and environmental concerns. Instead, it shifts liability away from the industry and onto taxpayers, while limiting public input in decision-making. This dangerous precedent puts profits ahead of people and the environment.
Gary cautions Wyoming not to accept nuclear waste under the current conditions. The industry remains unsettled on the type of casks necessary to store these materials safely, and the thin-walled canisters currently in use are insufficient for safe transport or long-term storage. Until the industry adopts more robust solutions, such as thick, bolted casks used successfully in countries like Switzerland, Wyoming would be taking on an unacceptable risk with no clear path to resolution.
This episode is a call to action for lawmakers and citizens to demand accountability and transparency from the nuclear industry. The dangers of nuclear waste storage are not hypothetical—they are real and imminent and have the potential to render entire regions uninhabitable for tens of thousands of years. Wyoming must heed the warnings from places like San Onofre and refuse to become a dumping ground for the industry’s unresolved problems.

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we are joined by Kenny Stein, Vice President of Policy at the Institute for Energy Research, who talks about the challenges facing America’s energy future, focusing on the issues surrounding wind and solar energy. While we touch on electric vehicles and the government’s push for EV mandates, the conversation centers on the real-world difficulties of relying on wind and solar power to meet the country’s energy needs.
Kenny discusses why wind and solar are not as reliable as proponents suggest, the hidden infrastructure costs, and the challenges rural states like Wyoming face as they balance energy production with reliability. He also draws lessons from Europe’s renewable energy push, highlighting the economic and energy reliability risks the U.S. could face if it follows the same path.
Key discussion points include:
- Why are wind and solar energy unreliable and require massive infrastructure investments?
- The cost of building backup systems to support intermittent renewable energy.
- Lessons from Europe’s failed experiment with over-reliance on renewables.
- The importance of maintaining energy reliability in rural states like Wyoming.
- A brief look at the electric vehicle market and why rural America is resisting the push.

We’re back with an update from Jim Magagna, Executive Vice President of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association. In this episode of Eye on the Issues, Jim provides a look into the BLM's Rock Springs Resource Management Plan and its impact on Wyoming ranchers. He explains how this 3.2 million-acre plan affects public land use, livestock grazing, and the broader ranching community. Jim also shares updates on recent government regulations and the growing role of litigation in defending ranching interests.
Stay informed with more updates from Wyoming Liberty Group at wyliberty.org.

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Aubree Adams, the founder of Every Brain Matters, for a candid discussion about the real-world consequences of marijuana legalization. Aubree shares her personal journey and the devastating effects that marijuana has had on her family, shedding light on the hidden dangers often overlooked by the general public.
From cannabis-induced psychosis to addiction and violence, Aubree paints a sobering picture of the toll that high-potency marijuana products are taking on individuals, families, and communities. Drawing from her experiences in Colorado, where marijuana was legalized for recreational use over a decade ago, Aubree highlights the alarming rise in homelessness, crime, and mental health issues among the younger generation.
With an urgent message for states like Wyoming, where legalization debates loom, Aubree urges viewers to learn from the mistakes of others and resist the deceptive tactics employed by the marijuana industry. She emphasizes the importance of informed parenting, honest conversations with children, and vigilance against the normalization of drug use.
As we approach 4/20 weekend, a time often associated with increased marijuana use, Aubree reminds us to focus on scientific facts surrounding marijuana use and encourages those struggling with substance abuse problems to seek treatment. Don't miss this eye-opening episode as Aubree shares invaluable insights and resources to help protect families from the pervasive influence of high-potency marijuana. Tune in to Eye on the Issues and join the conversation on safeguarding our communities against the dangers of marijuana legalization.
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