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Radioactive waste contaminating Canadian water supply: Report
Nuclear facilities and power plants are contaminating local Canadian food and water with radioactive waste that increases risks of cancer and birth defects, says a new report to be released on Friday.
The report, Tritium on Tap, produced by the Sierra Club of Canada, warned that radioactive emissions from various nuclear plants across the country have more than doubled over the past decade. The figures were based on statistics compiled by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission which measured pollution coming from the plants.
Although Canadian guidelines have suggested that the existing levels of tritium in the water are safe, the report cites recent peer-reviewed studies, including a recent review by the UK’s Committee Examining Radiation Risks of Internal Emitters, that suggest the opposite.
Ottawa boosting liability limit for nuclear companies - The Globe and Mail
Claims will now top out at $650-million, up from the previous $75-million ceiling
If something goes terribly wrong at a nuclear power plant, how much liability should the operator bear?
The federal government is introducing a new limit of $650-million for damages that can be claimed from nuclear companies after an accident at one of their stations. The amount represents a massive leap from the previous $75-million ceiling, which anti-nuclear groups called a hidden subsidy.
Questions remain, however, as to whether the new amount would cover all the claims due to the psychological trauma of living through such a mishap, the health impacts of being showered with radiation and damage to property.
The Diamondback - Nuclear energy: Don't believe the sticker price
A common perception of nuclear power is that it’s an affordable, carbon-free energy source that could meet a lot of America’s demand for electricity, if only those darn environmentalists would get out of the way. Unfortunately for nuclear power advocates and Maryland ratepayers, this statement crumbles upon contact with reality.
The average cost of electricity for all of Maryland’s sectors is 13.45 cents per kilowatt-hour. There’s a growing possibility some of us will have the pleasure of paying double that thanks to the pending merger between Constellation Energy and French electric giant EDF Energy, which is supposed to pave the way for construction of a new nuclear power plant at Calvert Cliffs. Doubling rates is fairly easy to predict with a trip down memory lane.
Antinuclear group gets funding - Peterborough Examiner - Ontario, CA
A local anti-nuclear group, Safe and Green Energy Peterborough, will get $37,000 from a federal agency to review its study for the proposed Darlington nuclear plant expansion, the group announced yesterday.
"SAGE is extremely proud of this recognition and achievement, as it is a true community group that has been challenging the intent of the Ontario government to expand nuclear supply when the alternatives of renewable energy and conservation are safer, more community oriented and less costly," the group states in a release.
John Etches, with Safe and Green Energy, couldn't be reached for comment yesterday.
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency participant funding program approved five applications worth a total of $155,927.
There were eight applications for a total of $314,242.
northumberlandnews | Low-level radioactive waste survey in Port Hope gets underway
- The annual telephone survey to gauge public attitudes about the community's low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) clean-up is set to kick-off once again in Port Hope.
The Port Hope Area Initiative's (PHAI) eighth annual public attitude survey will get underway in mid-November, said Sue Stickley, communications officer. Every year, the PHAI surveys local residents to get feedback on issues related to the clean-up and safe long-term management of historic low-level radioactive waste in the community. As in past years, individual survey responses are absolutely confidential, but the overall results will be made public.
"If you receive a phone call and are invited to take part in the survey, please take a few moments to answer the interviewer's questions," said Ms. Stickley.
CBC News - Ottawa - Nuclear group presses for AECL decision
Canada's minister of natural resources got an earful Friday from members of the country's nuclear industry who say they want the federal government to make a firm decision on the future of Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.
While Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt received polite applause when she attended a panel discussion at the annual meeting of the Organization of Candu Industries in Oakville, Ont., those in the industry said indecision is hurting everyone in the sector.
Last spring, the government announced its plan to break up AECL and possibly sell parts of the Crown corporation, but thus far no details have been announced.
Nuke power gets a blast
Nearly 200 people from across Alberta gathered at the legislature on Tuesday to ask their MLAs to refuse nuclear development in the province.
"Nuclear power is expensive, obsolete and a dangerous technology, and Albertans don't want any part of it," Elena Schacherl told the crowd holding placards and banners.
Schacherl is vice-president of the Coalition for a Nuclear Free Alberta, which opposes the construction of nuclear power plants in the province, and the organizers of the demonstration.
Feds keep lid on Atomic Energy Canada sale report
The federal government said late Monday it had received a report it commissioned on the best way to break up and sell Atomic Energy Canada Ltd. — but refused to release the report's recommendations, citing "commercial confidentiality considerations."
Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt announced last spring that the government was prepared to break up AECL, a Crown corporation, into two parts.
One part would include the business responsible for selling and building CANDU reactors, the large powerful machines that provide electricity at plants in New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario. The government signalled its intention to a seek a private sector partner to buy all or part of the CANDU business.
Radioactive waste cleanup approved - Peterborough Examiner - Ontario, CA
The cleanup of low level radioactive waste in Port Hope has been given the go-ahead by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
A five-year licence for the project was announced by the commission yesterday. Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. had requested a 10-year licence for the project.
The licence will be valid until Dec. 31, 2014. It takes effect on the date of the land transfer of the Welcome Waste Management Facility property from Cameco and Canada Eldor Inc. to the federal government.
AECL sale could be 'death knell' for CANDU reactors
The federal government is preparing to unveil recommendations on how to restructure Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, and several foreign and domestic players in the nuclear industry are positioning themselves to make a bid for AECL's assets.
But industry insiders and experts say the sale of the Crown corporation's reactor business could spell the beginning of the end for AECL's storied CANDU technology, long considered the cornerstone of Canada's nuclear industry.
Nuclear power potential a long way off for oilsands energy needs: study
Nuclear power could help meet growing oilsands energy needs, but won’t likely happen before 2025, a study released late Friday said.
Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada, which looked at alternatives to natural gas in oilsands development, said nuclear energy still poses many challenges.
Existing technology can’t produce required pressurized steam for in-situ oilsands development, the study found, while high costs, a lack of commercial development or regulatory approvals would mean emerging options wouldn’t be ready for nearly a decade.
Canada and Kazakhstan reach nuclear trade deal | Markets | Markets News | Reuters
* Deal to supply nuclear material, equipment, technology
* Cameco Corp to benefit from agreement
* Agreement to ensure peaceful nuclear uses only (Adds quotes, details)
OTTAWA, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Canada and Kazakhstan have reached a nuclear cooperation agreement to open up Kazakhstan's civil nuclear market to Canadian uranium and technology suppliers, Trade Minister Stockwell Day said on Thursday.
In a statement, the government said that one of the Canadian companies that will benefit from the agreement with the Central Asian country is Cameco Corp (CCO.TO), one of the world's largest uranium producers.
Cameco owns 60 percent of a venture that operates the Inkai uranium deposit in Kazakhstan.
Cleanup of toxic waste to begin - St. Catharines Standard - Ontario, CA
It will be the biggest radioactive waste cleanup in Canadian history.
An estimated 1.2 million cubic metres of soil contaminated with historic low-level radioactive waste and industrial toxins -- enough to fill almost 500 Olympic-size pools -- will be dug up in this town east of Toronto and trucked to a new storage facility north of town, where it will be sealed for centuries.
Approval for the monumental $260-million-plus task, expected within weeks, will mark a major milestone in a decades-long fight to eradicate a dark stain on the town.
Starting in the 1930s, the waterfront Cameco refinery, formerly Eldorado Nuclear Ltd., refined radium used for treating cancer and uranium that helped the Manhattan Project develop the first atomic bombs.
Until a cleanup in the mid-1970s, low-level radioactive by-products and other toxins entered the environment through use of contaminated fill, and to some extent through sloppy transport and water and wind erosion in storage areas.
Prince Albert Daily Herald: Protestors voice anti-nuke opinion
Bumbling nuclear waste disposal technicians opened spent reactor fuel rods and spilt radioactive material on the ground in front of the Delta Bessborough Hotel Thursday afternoon.
And people laughed, because this political vaudeville act was a protest against the closed-door Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) hearings.
The two-day meetings at the hotel were held as part of the search for a long-term nuclear waste storage facility. The NWMO, a not-for-profit established by Canada's nuclear industry, has identified Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec as possible sites for deep geological storage.
Coalition for a Clean Green Saskatchewan held a protest with about 20 people outside the hotel. Some supporters jumped into a media scrum with reporters and posed their own questions to a NWMO spokesperson.
"What gives you the hubris, the arrogance to make us think we can solve this problem," said Jim Penna, in reference to the U.S. government's failed $90 billion Yucca Mountain nuclear waste storage project.
Nuclear power maybe too costly for Saskatchewan: premier
Nuclear power may be too large and too costly for Saskatchewan, Premier Brad Wall says.
He made the comments this week in what appears to be another indication of his government's diminishing enthusiasm for nuclear power.
Earlier this week, a report was released on public consultations on the government's Uranium Development Partnership, a bid to explore the future of nuclear energy in the province.
The report showed an "overwhelming" rejection of nuclear power from respondents.
Slave River Journal: Contaminated land in Fitz leaves Smith’s Landing resident fuming
A Smith’s Landing member is outraged his band will not help him move from contaminated land along the Slave River.
John Tourangeau says Chief Fred Daniels and his council broke their promises of financial assistance to help him relocate in Fort Fitzgerald, after they informed him his land was contaminated and told him to move for his son’s safety. Now he is asking Indian and Northern Affairs Canada to step in.
Metro - Report says most Saskatchewan people don't back nuclear power plant idea
A new report has found that most Saskatchewan residents oppose building a nuclear power plant in the province, but that doesn't mean the idea has hit a dead end, according to the government.
The 166-page report released Tuesday gathered reaction from public consultations held on the future of uranium development in Saskatchewan. There were more than 1,400 responses specifically on the nuclear power issue and 84 per cent of those opposed the idea.
Energy Minister Bill Boyd suggested that's not a sign to stop, but says his "foot is off the accelerator."
"When I look at this report, it's neither a green light nor a red light for the future uranium development. It's more like a yellow light - take any next steps with great caution," said Boyd.
"There's no question there's strong opposition, I've never said that there wasn't. Of the people that attended the meetings, there was a very strong concern about the future in this area."
Anti-nuclear group kicks off campaign - Grande Prairie Daily Herald Tribune - Alberta, CA
The Coalition for a Nuclear Free Alberta launched its province-wide Green Ribbon Campaign at the Grande Prairie Public Library yesterday.
The purpose of the campaign is to urge Albertans to reject what the CNFA deems to be a risky and expensive proposal to develop nuclear power in the province.
“People are beginning to see that there’s more to this nuclear development story than meets the eye,” said Norman Dyck, a spokesman for CNFA. “The information is getting out to the alternate media; people mostly want to be responsible in what we leave to our great-great-great-great grandchildren.”
The coalition does not see nuclear power as a climate change solution. It believes renewable energy options can be brought about faster and more cheaply, with less risk to the health of Albertans and the environment.
Associated Press: Canada considers splitting its nuclear agency
Canada may divide its nuclear agency into two units in a bid to resolve the global shortage of medical isotopes, which are used for medical imaging to diagnose cancer and heart disease, Canada's natural resources minister said Friday.
Lisa Raitt said the government would likely separate state-owned Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. into a research division that includes the medical isotopes reactor and another division for the pressurized heavy water reactors that generate electric power.
The government has hired investment bankers N.M. Rothschild & Sons to develop a restructuring plan for AECL, Raitt said, and they are scheduled to report back to her in the next few months.
Energy hearings a 'railroad job,' NDP charges
The public will be left in the dark by a rushed schedule of legislative committee hearings on the province's energy future rammed through by the Saskatchewan Party government, the NDP Opposition said Wednesday.
The Crown and Central Agencies committee was asked in the spring to "conduct an inquiry to determine how the province can best meet the growing demand for electricity in a manner that is safe, reliable, environmentally sustainable and affordable."
But the NDP's Trent Wotherspoon said the government's plan for nine days of committee hearings to be held after the Sept. 21 byelections and before the start of the legislature session on Oct. 21 is woefully inadequate given the scope of the issue.
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