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MAKING NUCLEAR CLEAR

Premier McGuinty wants Ontarians to tell him what they think of the OPA plans for nuclear power plants. Our organization is concerned that the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) advice was prepared with very little opportunity for them to adequately address the full scope of the ramifications of the continued reliance on nuclear power generation of electricity.

Considering the huge importance to our province’s future economy, health of our people and environment, we are calling for a public inquiry. We are asking for a full and transparent inquiry similar to the Walkerton one into the tainted water scandal.

Hastily organized meetings are inadequate and meaningless as consultations. They do not constitute a free and informed public debate on such a serious question as the use of nuclear power.

NUCLEAR IS NOT CLEAN

One need look no farther than the report entitled Respecting the Health Effects of Ontario Hydro’s Demand/Supply Plan (Health Effects Report) prepared by the Public Health Coalition, Ontario Public Health Association and our Institute, to discover that there are very real dangers to the emission of radioisotopes from nuclear power plants. More and more evidence continues to accumulate with each passing year to prove that even very low levels of ionizing radiation are a health risk. (See our website for more information).

NUCLEAR IS NOT AFFORDABLE

It is by far the most expensive way to boil water ever invented. There is the cost of mining, refining, manufacturing of fuel rods, the cost of the plant itself with resultant cost overruns and repairs, the cost of waste containment and supervision, to the health care system, to the taxpayer. On top of all that, there is the cost in human suffering, lost health and well-being. That is a cost that will go up now as each year unfolds even if we stop right now.

NUCLEAR IS NOT RELIABLE

Past experience with shutdowns shows us that nuclear is not reliable. What would be reliable is a mix of environmentally friendly technologies. One of the biggest disadvantages to nuclear is related to security. Windmills and solar panels will not a dirty bomb make! A combination of renewable sources with conservation will make the need for either coal or nuclear power plants obsolete. Let us invest in a better future. Let us join with the leaders in clean renewable energy like Sweden, Denmark and Germany. If we don’t, we will miss a great opportunity both from a health and economic perspective.