Jul 14 - Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.



A Canadian nuclear power station is planning to ship 16 decommissioned radioactive steam generators through the St. Lawrence Seaway this September.

And although the company's application is pending the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission's approval, the idea of having nuclear waste traveling on Lake Huron, through the Welland Canal and the St. Lawrence Seaway is raising concerns among the region's environmental groups.

"Do we have the capability to handle a nuclear accident? I'm not sure if we're prepared for it," said Jennifer J. Caddick, executive director of Save the River, Clayton. "But the bigger issue here is transparency. There are a ton of questions that need to be answered."

Bruce Power, located on the eastern shore of Lake Huron, applied for a license in April to ship the bus-sized generators to Studsvik, a recycling plant in Sweden.

 According to its website, recycling the "low-level radioactive waste," instead of placing the units into long-term storage, "offers an economically attractive approach to nuclear clean-up that is also environmentally responsible."

The company did not return calls seeking comment Tuesday.

Mark O. Mattson, president of the Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, an environmental advocacy group based in Toronto, said members of the surrounding communities are in "shock" over Bruce Power and the nuclear commission's lack of public consultation.

"The reaction we're hearing from the communities is shock that they weren't involved in the process to date," he said. "When a decision is so serious that the drinking water of millions of people could be affected, the public has a legitimate expectation that they will be given ample notice and the option to provide comments to an impartial decision maker."

Mr. Mattson said alternatives need to be assessed before determining that shipping nuclear waste by boat is the safest option available.

"On the face of it, this plan appears to put our lakes at risk. If Bruce Power has evidence to show that transporting radioactive waste on drinking water is safe, it should be presented to an independent decision maker in an open, transparent forum where the public has participatory rights," he said.

ON THE NET: Bruce Power video footage: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cX1KJNKL3vA

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