April 13, 2015
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More than 3,400 people have signed an on-line petition in favour of Bruce Power’s five-year licence renewal to operate the Bruce A and Bruce B generating stations at the Bruce Nuclear site in the Municipality of Kincardine.
The second part of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) relicensing hearings begins tonight (April 13) at the Davidson Centre in Kincardine, and continues through to Thursday, April 16. The first part was a formal hearing in Ottawa Feb. 5.
“We’re thrilled that people have taken this opportunity to demonstrate their confidence in Bruce Power’s ability to safely operate the Bruce generating stations,” says Orie Good, board member of the Bruce Chapter of the North American Young Generation Nuclear (NAYGN).
NAYGN teamed up with the Bruce Power Pensioners Association, the Canadian Nuclear Workers' Council and Women in Nuclear (WiN) Canada, to launch the on-line petition in early March.
“As an authorized nuclear operator at Bruce Power, I witness first-hand that safety is always number one at Bruce Power and I have the utmost confidence in the people and the technology,” says Wendy Huys of the Bruce Chapter of WiN.
The relicensing hearings will feature presentations from interested parties including the Canadian Nuclear Workers Council.
“As unionized nuclear workers, we have a unique perspective on the safety culture that is present at Bruce Power and nuclear sites across Canada and that’s what we’re going to share with members of the commission,” says Dave Shier of the Canadian Nuclear Workers Council.
The Bruce Power Pensioners Association will also be speaking at the relicensing hearings, and president Doug Mullaly welcomes the opportunity to talk about the community support Bruce Power receives.
“Bruce Power is not only a safe facility, it’s a huge part of the Ontario economy and a terrific corporate citizen,” Mullaly says. “We fully support the relicensing of the Bruce facility.”
Meanwhile, Shawn-Patrick Stensil, senior nuclear analyst with Greenpeace Canada; and Theresa McClenaghan, executive director of the Canadian Environmental Law Association, were at the Kincardine Library Monday afternoon, providing a briefing on the risks associated with Bruce Power's application to continue operating the largest nuclear site in the world.
The pair will be presenting at the relicensing hearings, and say they have found gaps and flaws in Bruce Power’s licence application.
Written ByLiz Dadson is the founder and editor of the Kincardine Record and has been in the news business since 1986.
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