[News From Congressman Bart Stupak] 
For Immediate Release
October 24, 2006
Contact:  Alex Haurek 
(202) 225-4735

Stupak Calls on EPA to Address Canadian Nuclear Proposal

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WASHINGTON – As the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission held its first public meeting yesterday on a proposed underground repository for nuclear waste, Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI) wrote the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), raising concerns and asking that the agency scrutinize the Canadian proposal.

“Given the close proximity of this facility to US waters and the State of Michigan, I would encourage the EPA’s active involvement in the consideration of this proposal,” Stupak’s letter says.  “Because of the potential side effect this proposal could have on Lake Huron, the Canadian agencies responsible for reviewing this proposal should work to effectively communicate with leaders on both sides of the border.”

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has applied for regulatory approval to construct a Deep Geologic Repository (DGR) for the disposal of low and intermediate-level radioactive waste that is currently generated at the Bruce Nuclear Site in Tiverton as well as waste imported from other nuclear facilities in Ontario.  The repository would be located in Kincardine, Ontario, less than one mile from the shores of Lake Huron.

Low level waste consists of industrial items that have become contaminated with low levels of radioactivity during maintenance at nuclear generating stations. While low level waste may be safely handled by workers using normal industrial practices and equipment without any special radiation protection, medium or intermediate level waste is radioactive to a level where shielding is required to protect workers handling the materials.  Beyond the waste from the Bruce Nuclear Site, the proposed repository would also hold waste produced from the continued operation of OPG-owned nuclear stations at Bruce, Pickering and Darlington, Ontario.

Last week, Stupak wrote the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to raise concerns about the proposed repository.  In today’s letter, Stupak asked the EPA a series of questions on the Canadian plan.

“Was the EPA notified of this proposal, and have the Ontario Power Generation Company or the Ontario Ministry of the Environment provided EPA with any briefings on this proposal?  If so, has the EPA been asked to comment?  If not, why hasn’t either the operating company or the appropriate government authorities consulted the proper American officials?” Stupak’s letter asks. 

Stupak continued by asking the EPA about reports that the Bruce nuclear facility had already been the cause of groundwater contamination in Ontario.

Stupak’s letter went on to say: “According to a 2002 Detroit News article, Bruce Nuclear Facility officials have acknowledged that ground water near area homes in Kincardine, ON, has tested positive for radioactive waste.  Was the EPA notified of these findings, and has any action been taken by the Ontario Power Generation Company or the Ontario Ministry of the Environment to remediate the area?  Does the EPA have any information on the effect this contamination has had on the local watershed, including the potential problems this may cause in Lake Huron?”

Stupak said the EPA has a duty to involve itself in the issue and play a role in the process.

“As the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission holds its meeting in Kincardine to hear from the Canadian public, it is critical that the EPA engage on this issue as well,” Stupak said.  “I will continue urging the EPA to engage on this issue and to represent the interests of U.S. residents.  Both of our countries have a major stake in protecting our Great Lakes from radioactive pollution.”

A copy of Stupak’s letter was sent to the International Joint Commission, an independent, binational organization established to help prevent and resolve disputes relating to the use and quality of boundary waters and to advise Canada and the United States on related questions.

“I will continue reaching out to officials in both the Canadian and U.S. governments and working with other relevant organizations to find a reasonable solution to this issue,” Stupak said.  “Given the location of this proposed project, there is the potential for significant risk to the environment, ground water, ecology, wildlife, and water quality of the Lake Huron region.”

Stupak’s district, Michigan’s First Congressional District, has 1,613 miles of shoreline, more than any other Congressional District in the nation except Alaska.  In Congress, Stupak has taken a lead role in protecting the Great Lakes by authoring legislation that banned underwater oil and gas drilling in the Great Lakes.  Stupak also helped defeat a Canadian company’s plans to sell water from the Great Lakes to China.  

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NOTE: The full text of Stupak’s letter is attached.

October 23, 2006

Bharat Mathur
Acting Manager
U.S. EPA Great Lakes National Program Office
77 W. Jackson Boulevard (G-17J)
Chicago, Illinois  60604-3511

Dear Mr. Mathur:

Earlier this year, the Ontario Power Generation Company contacted the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) with a proposal to construct an underground Deep Geological Repository (DGR) for low and intermediate-level waste at the Bruce Nuclear Site in Kincardine, Ontario. 

I would appreciate any information the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency could provide regarding this facility.  Specifically, was the EPA notified of this proposal, and have the Ontario Power Generation Company or the Ontario Ministry of the Environment provided EPA with any briefings on the proposal?  If so, has the EPA been asked to comment?  If not, why hasn’t either the operating company or the appropriate government authorities consulted the proper American officials? 

Given the close proximity of this facility to US waters and the State of Michigan, I would encourage the EPA’s active involvement in the consideration of this proposal.  Because of the potential effect this proposal could have on Lake Huron, the Canadian agencies responsible for reviewing this proposal should work to effectively communicate with leaders on both sides of the border.

According to a 2002 Detroit News article, Bruce Nuclear Facility officials have acknowledged that ground water near area homes in Kincardine, ON, has tested positive for radioactive waste.  Was the EPA notified of these findings, and has any action been taken by the Ontario Power Generation Company or the Ontario Ministry of the Environment to remediate the area?  Does the EPA have any information on the effect this contamination has had on the local watershed, including the potential problems this may cause in Lake Huron?  Have there been any geological or hydrological surveys of the area to assess the impact on the Lake Huron watershed?  What steps have been taken to prevent this contamination from migrating into Lake Huron?

I support nuclear energy and understand the issues associated with the responsible disposal of nuclear waste.  Nonetheless, I believe that locating a permanent underground storage facility less than a mile away from Lake Huron and its watershed raises significant concerns.  Given the location of this proposed project, there is the potential for significant risk to the environment, ground water, ecology, wildlife, and water quality of the Lake Huron region. 

The Great Lakes and their watershed are a critically important resource to both the United States and Canada.  As the largest source of fresh water in the world, millions of residents depend on the Great Lakes for their drinking water.  It is important that both governments work together to protect this shared resource. 

I look forward to working with officials on both sides of the border to find a reasonable solution to this issue.  I would appreciate any information that the EPA can provide regarding the environmental effects of a permanent underground storage facility located so close to Lake Huron, the current radioactive waste in the ground water, and any other information that can help provide a better understanding of the proposal. 

I will also copy the International Joint Commission on this request.  As the international agency established to monitor water quality concerns shared by the United States and Canada, the IJC plays an important role in decisions that affect these waters.  I would appreciate any information the IJC can provide on the current proposal or past water contamination problems.

Thank you in advance for providing this information, and I look forward to your timely response. 

Sincerely,

 

BART STUPAK
Member of Congress

cc:  Mr. Dennis Schornack     
 Chair, United States Section    
 International Joint Commission   

 The Rt. Hon. Herb Gray
 Chair, Canadian Section
 International Joint Commission

 

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