Dear Editor,
Nuclear Waste Management Organization has set its sights on Creighton.
In Phase 2, NWMO will conduct further studies into the region’s geology and the social acceptance to the town becoming the “host” of a deep geologic repository (DGR) for what has become the nuclear industry’s big problem – extremely radioactive nuclear waste.
The Committee for Future Generations has spent the last 2.5 years educating ourselves on all aspects of NWMO’s DGR proposal.
We have studied the material provided by NWMO and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) regulations extensively. We have questioned both organizations and were not assured that the DGR plan can guarantee the safety of our future generations.
Upon further research of peer-reviewed documents by nuclear physicists, scientists, engineers and physicians, we have learned that there is not consensus or agreement that this massively dangerous experiment can work.
In fact, the Swedish computer-modeling on which this DGR is based has been proven to be seriously flawed. It was sent back to the drawing board in that country, while the NWMO has continued to move forward with this design.
We have listened to NWMO presentations on the transport of spent nuclear fuel and watched the video of the container tests. When we asked NWMO if these tests were conducted with nuclear waste in the container, they said, “No. That would be too dangerous.”
These containers, designed to international standards, cannot completely prevent radiation exposure.
Security for the transport of nuclear waste in Europe will not allow women to work on these assignments and men are advised not to plan parenthood for at least two years after working in proximity to the trains.
There will be 620 truck loads per year for 38 years just to haul the existing spent nuclear fuel.
How many people will be exposed randomly to the radiation from these trucks as they transport this lethal material across the country? All NWMO and the CNSC will say is “there is no significant risk.”
Significant to whom? Not NWMO as they have no intention of admitting responsibility.
The plan to build a DGR for nuclear waste in Saskatchewan did not just surface three years ago. Publications from as early as 1981 reveal that the U.S. and other countries had been seeking to bury and repatriate this problematic stockpile to Saskatchewan.
NWMO claims the repository will not be used to store nuclear waste from other countries, but that can easily be changed if new trade agreements are allowed to make it possible for other nations to challenge that claim.
The World Trade Organization already is making rulings to force governments in Canada to change their rules and regulations to favour big corporations from abroad.
We agree with Flin Flon city councillor Colleen McKee that people do need to educate themselves.
But do not depend on the NWMO as your sole source of information. After all, it is their job to convince some economically desperate community to take a substance that will be lethal for 4.7 billion years.
As Saskatoon’s StarPhoenix stated in an editorial on Aug. 11, 2011: “Before turning our back on another chance – particularly in a chronically underemployed region of the province – without testing out the risks and science behind it would be unconscionable.”
This decision will always have the potential to annihilate any of the next 7000 generations.
Candyce Paul
Committee for Future Generations
English River First Nation, Saskatchewan
committeeforfuturegenerations @gmail.com
http://committeefor futuregenerations. wordpress.com
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Dear Editor,
During the most wonderful time of the year, we must remember all creatures.
Keep tinsel and decorations away from pets. Don’t forget wild animals and birds when your throw out your tree.
Let’s all have a very Merry Christmas.
Thank you,
Cyndy Woods (AHT)
Schist Lake
