GLIN==> Cities Initiative Opposes Radioactive Shipment along Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River

Cities Initiative Opposes Radioactive Shipment along Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River





Chicago, September 13, 2010 - Today the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (Cities Initiative) announced its opposition to the proposed shipment by Bruce Power of radioactive waste on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence.



The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence form the largest body of fresh water in the world. Over 40 million Canadians and Americans rely on them for their safe drinking water.



The Cities Initiative is opposing the proposed maritime shipment of sixteen, 100-tonne steel radioactive steam generators, from Owen Sound, through Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence and out into the Atlantic to Sweden.



The opposition to the proposed shipment is based on three principle reasons. Firstly, there is concern over the potential environmental impacts to the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence in the event of an accident during shipment.  Secondly, the Cities Initiative has concerns about the review process, including information gaps about the proposed shipment. Thirdly, the potentially precedent setting nature of the shipment, with the amount of radioactive waste exceeding the international allowable limit for a single shipment in inland waters by 50 times, is cause for concern.



The Cities Initiative's position on the proposed radioactive waste shipment has been submitted to the CNSC for its consideration (see www.glslcities.org/voice-of-mayors/Nuclear.cfm<http://www.glslcities.org/voice-of-mayors/Nuclear.cfm>). The Cities Initiative has requested standing at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission hearing on the proposed shipment on September 29th in Ottawa.



The Cities Initiative is a bi-national coalition of over 70 mayors from Quebec, Ontario and the eight Great Lake States, representing over thirteen million Canadians and Americans, who work collectively and individually to protect, restore and promote the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence.  For more information on the organization, please visit www.glslcities.org<http://www.glslcities.org>.





Media Contact:

David Ullrich, Executive Director

Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative

Tel: 312-480-6501





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