Action Alert - Stop the Refurbishment of the Pt. Lepreau Nuclear Power Reactor - Protect the Future Security and Health of your Region.

NB Power has requested a hearing to extend the operating license of the Pt. Lepreau nuclear power station for one year to enable Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) to continue with its attempt to refurbish the reactor.  The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has scheduled an extension hearing, to be held at the CNSC offices in Ottawa on 19 January 2011.

The decisions made at this hearing will directly impact the security and health of the environment in our region. Holding the hearing in Ottawa would virtually eliminate any meaningful opportunity for non-profit public interest groups, volunteer organizations, small municipalities and ordinary residents of Atlantic Canada to attend or participate directly in the hearing.

We are deeply concerned about the health, environmental and financial impacts of the Pt. Lepreau reactor. The track record of AECL undeniably calls into question how safe and reliable the Pt. Lepreau reactor would be if it were allowed to operate again after being refurbished by AECL. We are asking the CNSC  to deny NB Power’s request to extend the Pt. Lepreau reactor’s license until an independent review of AECL’s competence and ability to safely perform the refurbishment has been completed, and the findings of this investigation have been released to the Canadian public.

Sierra members in Atlantic Canada, we are asking you to take action. Please call, email or write your MP and demand that a full and fair public hearing about the proposed extension of the Pt. Lepreau reactor's license be held in New Brunswick, the province most directly affected by CNSC's decisions in this matter. Voice your concern that nuclear is not safe, not cheap, and not needed in the context of safe, efficient alternatives to solve climate change.

For further background on our campaign against Pt. Lepreau, please read the following press release http://atlantic.sierraclub.ca/en/media/release/sierra-club-atlantic-calls-new-brunswick-candidates-respond-facts-nuclear and Fact Sheet (http://atlantic.sierraclub.ca/sites/sierraclub.ca/files/fact_sheet_lepreau_.pdf)

This nuclear campaign is part of Sierra Club Canada's ongoing effort to empower people to protect, restore and enjoy a healthy and safe planet. Please consider supporting us with a donation today: https://secure.sierraclub.ca/en/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=20