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Great Lakes at risk from radioactive waste shipments

“There is a huge amount at stake with the largest body of surface fresh water in the world that serves as drinking water for over 40 million people.”

Nuclear shipments draw more fire  The Sarnia Observer – Ontario, CA,  SHAWN JEFFORDS, 15 Sept 10, A group of Great Lakes city mayors oppose a plan to ship nuclear waste through the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, representing 70 municipalities, wants halted Bruce Power’s plan to ship sixteen steam generators contaminated with low levels of radiation to Sweden for recycling.  “Our organization is extremely concerned about this proposed shipment,” said executive director David Ullrich. “There is a huge amount at stake with the largest body of surface fresh water in the world that serves as drinking water for over 40 million people.”

Ullrich said the standard of care must be high when moving contaminated cargo across the Great Lakes. In this case, an adequate level of scrutiny hasn’t been provided by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), he said.

“I don’t think the homework on the risk assessments has been done.”

The coalition also opposes the shipments because the process to approve the plan hasn’t been transparent and the decision could be precedent setting, Ullrich said……………

Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, who has led the charge locally to halt the shipments, said dozens of groups are expressing concern with the plan, including the Mohawk Council of the Akwesasne which joined the fray last week.

Said Grand Chief Michael Mitchell: “We are adding our voice to every organization, to every native community and to every man, woman and child who value this great waterway so that the shipment of radioactive materials of any kind, will not travel through us.”

Bradley said the consultation process has been flawed.

“One of the issues that’s going to be raised is the credibility of the hearing. (The CNSC) has already said as an organization that there is no safety concern.”

Bradley said the commission appears to have made up its mind to grant Bruce Power the go-ahead.

“They have more of these to ship, this is just the beginning,” he said. “What I’m fighting for, in the long term, is to ensure that any type of shipment of this nature has to be subject to a full public process.”

Nuclear shipments draw more fire – The Sarnia Observer – Ontario, CA

September 16, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Canada, opposition to nuclear | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear secrecy, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive, reactors