Carstens, August S., 1900-1988.

Historical Background

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.

From the guide to the August S. Carstens Collection, 1958 - 1984, (University of California, San Diego. Geisel Library. Mandeville Special Collections Library.)