Public hearings soon on Darlington nuclear site (deadline to submit Oct15)

On Sept. 4th an official announcement was posted with the details for new Darlington hearings. Greenpeace and NorthWatch are working to coordinate the public participation on these. For more info you can contact Sarah Sherman at Greenpeace: stop.darlington@greenpeace.org. They have provided many links to info to help you participate fully - see below.

Here is the public hearing announcement:

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) will hold a public hearing to consider, on a combined basis due to their interrelation, three matters related to Ontario Power Generation (OPG)’s Darlington nuclear site, located on the north shore of Lake Ontario in the Municipality of Clarington:  

• Environmental Assessment of OPG’s proposed Refurbishment and Continued Operation of the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station (DNGS);
• Application by OPG to renew the Darlington Waste Management Facility (DWMF) licence;
• and Application by OPG to renew the Nuclear Power Reactor Operating Licence for the DNGS until December 31, 2014.

Date: December 3 to 6, 2012

Place: Hope Fellowship Church, 1685 Bloor Street, Courtice, Ontario

From Greenpeace:

Why participate in the hearings?

It’s a simple and powerful way to have your voice heard, and call for green energy instead of the environmental hazards associated with keeping the outdated Darlington reactors running.  Check out these FAQ.

How do I make a written submission?
Write a 1-2 page letter (or more, if you’d like) expressing who you are, why you’re concerned, and what you want to see happen. Send it to the CNSC via email, mail or fax by October 15th. Click here for details.

How do I make an oral presentation?
When you send your written submission to the CNSC by October 15th, just notify them that you would also like to make an oral presentation at the hearing. You’ll be allotted 10minutes (max) to voice your concerns. 

Where/When are the hearings?
November 13th and 14th at Hope Fellowship Church, 1685 Bloor Street, Courtice, Ontario. We are working to ensure transportation will not be a barrier to attending.

Where can I find the federal government’s environmental assessment report?
The federal government will file a final environmental assessment report on September 14th.This report will summarize the federal government’s conclusions on the potential environmental effects associated with continuing to run Darlington.

You can find a copy of the federal government’s draft environmental assessment report here.

Where can I find critiques of the federal government’s environmental review of Darlington?
Some groups concerned with Darlington’s impact on the environment filed critiques of the federal government’s environmental assessment report in July.  You can use their research and reports in developing your own submission.

Lake Ontario Watkerkeeper focused their comments on Darlington’s impact on the Lake Ontario.  You can find their submission here. 

The Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) focused their submission on the environmental review on emergency planning.  You can find their comments here. 

The international Institute for Concern for Public Heath addressed public and worker health issues at Darlington.  You can find their submission here.

Greenpeace filed comments on the potential for reactor accidents at Darlington.  You can find their comments here.

You can find the Sierra Club of Canada’s comments here.

Northwatch provided comments on the management of radioactive waste.  You can find their comments here.

What else could help me prepare a submission on Darlington’s environmental effects?
Greenpeace has prepared backgrounders on environmental issues related to Darlington, including recommendations on how to better protect the environment.

Read the Greenpeace backgrounder on Darlington’s impact on Lake Ontariohere. 

Read the Greenpeace backgrounder on accident risks at Darlington here.

Are lessons from the Fukushima disaster relevant to Darlington’s continued operation?
Yes, but the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has ignored them.

The Japanese government’s review of Fukushima concluded that it was “man-made”.  Read the Executive Summary of the Official Report here.

Greenpeace International also published a report on Lessons from Fukushima.  Read the Execuitve Summary here and Full Report here. 

Over thirty environmental organizations last year also asked the CNSC to do a more in depth review of Darlington’s continued operation because of Fukushima.  The CNSC refused.  Read their letter and their reasons here.

Anything else I should know?
There are less risky options than Darlington to meet Ontario’s future electricity needs.  Read Report Green Energy Plan 2.0 here.