Initiative Announced To Oppose Canadian Plan To Bury Nuclear Waste Near Lake Huron
FLINT (WWJ/AP) - A member of Congress wants Michiganders to speak out against a Canadian proposal to store nuclear waste underground less than a mile from the Lake Huron shore.
Democratic Rep. Dan Kildee of Michigan and Michigan Senate Democratic leader Jim Ananich on Wednesday announced an effort to encourage people to write the Canadian Minister of the Environment.
Kildee says the "community initiative" will oppose Ontario Power Generation's plan for disposal of low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste near Kincardine, Ontario.
"We must protect the Great Lakes from harm, including from the threat of Canadian nuclear waste," Congressman Kildee said, in a media release.
"Burying nuclear waste less than a mile from Lake Huron just doesn't make sense and is too much of a risk to take, especially considering nuclear material remains radioactive for thousands of years. There is growing opposition to this plan, both in the U.S. and Canada, and now Michiganders have a chance to be heard and express their views too," he said. "I encourage all Michigan residents to speak up and submit comments to Canadian officials during this open comment period to demonstrate that Michigan stands united against this threat to our Great Lakes."
The company insists the project won't contaminate Lake Huron, but opponents say anything could happen over thousands of years.
Kildee and Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters have introduced legislation that would require the U.S. State Department to demand a new study of risks to the lake.
To submit their comments, Michigan residents must write to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency by September 1, 2015. Comments can be submitted by mail or email.
Anyone who would like to submit comments by mail should send them to: Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency; 22nd Floor, 160 Elgin Street, Ottawa ON K1A 0H3
Anyone who would like to submit comments by email should send them to: ceaa.conditions.acee@ceaa-acee.gc.ca.
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