Small Modular Nuclear Reactors – many pitfalls, including security risks

‘Many issues’ with modular nuclear reactors says environmental lawyer, https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/many-issues-modular-nuclear-1.5381804

Three premiers have agreed to work together to develop the technology, Jordan Gill · CBC News Dec 03, 2019 Modular nuclear reactors may not be a cure for the nation’s carbon woes, an environmental lawyer said in reaction to an idea floated by three premiers.

Theresa McClenaghan, executive director of the Canadian Environmental Law Association, said the technology surrounding small reactors has numerous pitfalls, especially when compared with other renewable energy technology.

This comes after New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Ontario Premier Doug Ford agreed to work together to develop the technology.

Small modular reactors are easy to construct, are safer than large reactors and are regarded as cleaner energy than coal, the premiers say. They can be small enough to fit in a school gym. Designs have been submitted to Canada’s nuclear regulator for review as part of a pre-licensing process.

The premiers say the smaller reactors would help Canada reach its carbon reduction targets but McClenaghan, legal counsel for the environmental group, disagrees.

“I don’t think it is the answer,” said McClenaghan. “I don’t think it’s a viable solution to climate change.”

McClenaghan said the technology behind modular reactors is still in the development stage and needs years of work before it can be used on a wide scale.

“There are many issues still with the technology,” said McClenaghan. “And for climate change, the risks are so pervasive and the time scale is so short that we need to deploy the solutions we already know about like renewables and conservation.”

Waste, security concerns: lawyer

While nuclear power is considered a low-carbon method of producing electricity, McClenaghan said the waste that it creates brings its own environmental concerns.

“You’re still creating radioactive waste,” said McClenaghan.

“We don’t even have a solution to nuclear fuel waste yet in Canada and the existing plans are not taking into account these possibilities.”

McClenanghan believes there are national security risks with the plan as well. She said having more reactors, especially if they’re in rural areas, means there’s a greater chance that waste or fuel from the reactors could be stolen for nefarious purposes.

“You’d be scattering radioactive materials, potentially attractive to diversion, much further across the country,” said the environmental lawyer.

December 5, 2019 - Posted by Christina MacPherson | Canada, Small Modular Nuclear Reactors

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1.This Month

On Sunday, August 2^nd, Veterans for Peace begins their eight-day virtual 2020 Convention. At noon Mountain Daylight Time, the Opening Plenary will tell the story in “The Nuclear Weapons Industry – Creating Victims – More Than 75 Years and Counting.” The scheduled speakers are: the Chief of Council of the Western Shoshone Nation and Spiritual Person, Chief Johnnie Bobb; the social practice artist and educator Yasuyo Tanaka; journalist and author in Kyoto, Japan, Toshiya Morita; and peace activist, Joni Arends, of CCNS.

For more information, visit https://vfp2020.attendease.com/

6 August Hiroshima Day 75th Anniversary Commemorations

by London Campaign for Nuclear Disarmamen

Join London CND for an online event in commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of Hiroshima Day Thu, 6 Aug 2020, 12:00 BST https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hiroshima-day-75th-anniversary-commemorations-registration-110968068480

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Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility

https://www.oregonpsr.org/hiroshima_nagasaki Our 2020 memorial event, which marks the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, will be held on Thursday August 6 2020 beginning at 6:00 PM. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this event will be a virtual online event. More details will be posted as the event organizing progresses, and we hope that you’ll mark your calendars and plan to join us on August 6th!

On Thursday, August 6th, at 6 pm Mountain Daylight Time, a program organized by New Mexico activists, faith leaders, and veterans, the “75^th Anniversary Hiroshima Day One-Hour Online Commemoration” will be available at https://paceebene.org/hiroshimaday2020 .

The scheduled speakers are: Roshi Joan Halifax, Buddhist teacher, Zen priest, anthropologist, and pioneer in the field of end-of-life care; Dr. Ira Helfand, of the International Steering Committee of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons; Jay Coghlan, executive director of Nuclear Watch New Mexico; and Archbishop of Santa Fe, John Wester. The host will be the Reverend John Dear, priest, activist, and author of 35 books. The program is organized by New Mexico 75th Anniversary of Hiroshima/Nagasaki Committee and Pace e Bene. The event will also be available at https://www.hiroshimanagasaki75.org/

A two-day virtual event commemorating the 75th year since the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is scheduled for August 6th and August 9th. The organizers intend the event to be “a creative, intersectional way to shine a spotlight on local events nationwide, to highlight the stories of survivors, to look toward the future of a world free from nuclear threats, and to amplify the voices of activists, experts and others beyond their typical audience.” To learn more, use #still here or https://www.hiroshimanagasaki75.org/ . http://nuclearactive.org/

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