February 07, 2011
MPs query nuke plant shipment
Toronto Sun
OTTAWA — A Commons committee intends to grill members of Canada’s nuclear regulator and Bruce Power over plans to ship used radioactive generators through the Great Lakes.The natural resources committee has passed a motion to study the transport of radioactive waste that includes a request for testimony from Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and Bruce Power.
NDP natural resources critic Nathan Cullen said Sunday the committee hopes the parties will appear before March. “The public concern has been pouring in,” Cullen said.
NEGLIGIBLE RISKS
On Friday , the CNSC announced it would issue a transport licence to Bruce Power to ship 16 decommissioned steam generators to Sweden, saying it considered the risks to people and the environment negligible.
The licence is valid for one year and is the first of many hurdles Bruce Power faces. The company still needs approval from Transport Canada and the U.S., Britain, Norway and Denmark.
Among the critics of the decision is a coalition of 73 mayors whose municipalities abut the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes, and are concerned about the threat posed to supplies of drinking water.
