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Read the latest stories, updates and news releases about community science, water monitoring, and more.
Environmental groups launch Federal Court challenge to Darlington refurbishment
“It's our view that the regulator did not even consider commonly-used, affordable ways to avoid killing millions of fish. Considering that Lake Ontario is in decline and that fish populations are a fraction of what they should be, this is unacceptable. To make matters worse, failure to consider impacts on fish is just one of many ways that we believe this environmental assessment process failed to meet legal standards,” says Mark Mattson, President of Lake Ontario Waterkeeper.
Darlington nuclear refurbishment gets go-ahead
Lake Ontario Waterkeeper raised serious concerns about the impacts on fish from these nuclear power plants. Darlington nuclear power plant sucks up enough Lake Ontario water to drain an Olympic-sized swimming pool in just 15 seconds. It does this 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in order to keep the nuclear reactors cool. In the process, millions of fish, eggs, and larvae are crushed and killed. This outdated cooling water system kills more fish than any other technology on the market.
Darlington nuclear project kills fish, wastes water: Waterkeeper warns federal commission
“Darlington nuclear kills fish. Lots of them. The only reason the plant kills fish is because Canada’s nuclear safety regulator has been unwilling to tell Ontario Power Generation it’s time to join the 21st Century,” says Waterkeeper Mark Mattson.
Waterkeeper's presentation to the CNSC, Darlington Refurbishment hearing
Darlington is one of the largest nuclear power plants in North America. The plant has an outdated open cycle, or “once-through” cooling water system. It’s the most destructive cooling technology option available. It kills fish and it wastes water.
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.
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