Swim Drink Fish Blog
Read the latest updates and news releases about community science, water monitoring, Artists for Water, and more.
Waterkeeper submits comments on two Regulatory Oversight Reports to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
On November 16, Waterkeeper submitted two reports to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) which will be considered by Commission Members as part of their annual Regulatory Oversight Report (ROR) meeting in December.
Evidence and Experts: The need to reassess Darlington’s nuclear operation
Waterkeeper is currently preparing a submission to intervene in the Darlington nuclear refurbishment hearing in November 2015. Because there are many facets to the case, Mark defines and explains the significance behind experts to illustrate why this case continues to be so challenging.
Environmentalists in court to demand proper review of nuclear risks
Lawyers for environmental groups ask a Federal Court today to order the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to redo its environmental review of Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) plan to rebuild and run the aging Darlington nuclear reactors for three more decades.
Waterkeeper submits concerns with Darlington Refurbishment Follow-Up Program
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission invited the public to comment on a draft follow-up program for the refurbishment of the Darlington Nuclear Power Plant. Here's what we said:
Lake Ontario Waterkeeper has concerns about the Project, the Follow-Up Program, and this review process. We are very concerned about the environmental impacts of the Project, and we are not at all satisfied that the Follow-Up Program will protect Lake Ontario.
MEDIA ADVISORY: Hearing into Darlington nuclear refurbishment begins Monday, interview opportunities available
“There is no evidence that refurbishing Darlington nuclear is the right choice for Ontario,” says Waterkeeper Mark Mattson. “Unfortunately, no one is willing to talk about whether Ontarians really need this project. So on Monday, it is Waterkeeper’s job to show up and remind people that the Darlington nuclear plant kills fish. It wastes water. And it doesn’t have to be this way.”
7 things you need to know about the Darlington nuclear refurbishment
Two hundred people will gather at Hope Fellowship Church in Southern Ontario next week to discuss how to rebuild Lake Ontario's largest nuclear power plant. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is holding a three-day hearing to assess the impacts of the plant before issuing an operating licence. CNSC staff, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) staff, and some 93 intervenors will make presentations on December 3, 4, 5, and 6.
How many dead fish would be "significant"?
CNSC staff are asking Commissioners, acting together with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, to allow OPG to operate a “once-through” cooling system. This outdated system will suck in water from Lake Ontario to cool the nuclear reactors, then discharge warmed water back to the lake all day every day for a half-century.
Waterkeeper comments on the Draft Environmental Assessment Screening Report - Refurbishment and Continued Operation of the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station
The weaknesses and omissions contained in the Report cast a shadow over the entire environmental assessment process. Neither the EIS nor the Draft Screening Report provides a reasonable or credible basis for evaluating the environmental effects of Darlington’s once-through cooling system. The Report demonstrates that OPG, the CNSC, and DFO are either unwilling or unable to mitigate harm to fish and fish habitat on Lake Ontario. In light of these failings, Waterkeeper submits that a legitimate, reasonable, and informed decision is impossible without an independent, thorough review panel process.
Waterkeeper submits comments on Darlington nuclear station refurbishment
The proposal should be denied outright because it will cause significant adverse environmental effects that will not be mitigated and cannot be justified.