The main reason for their opposition to the concept of burying high-level nuclear waste in an underground repository is the NWMO has not proven the claims it has made regarding the transportation and long-term storage of high-level nuclear fuel rod bundles underground. I dont think that were opposed on ideological grounds, says Lloyd. I think were opposed on very practical grounds. Just because weve been opposed to it for a long time, doesnt mean that it is ideological. Another reason is they do not believe it is a sound approach. She says while Northwatch has only been in existence for about 23 years, the groups that founded it have been dealing with the industry and government since the late 1970s. So, weve been looking at it for 30 years. Our assessment is that the more detailed the discussion becomes, the more detailed the understanding of the uncertainties become. It doesnt retire any of the uncertainties. So, whether in 30 year that might change, I dont know. We have no reason to expect that we will change our mind. In addition, she says there are issues around equity. Lloyd says they have communities with nuclear reactors that accepted the risk of running them along with their economic benefits. Then they want to transfer the waste elsewhere. Whether we are talking about Toronto garbage or PCBs from Japan or low-level waste from Port Hope or nuclear fuel waste, there is a pattern of waste proponents looking to transfer that waste to Northern Ontario for a profit.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Mar 2014 00:50:48 +0000