The Moltex project is in the news again! A second open letter to the Prime Minister from US non-proliferation experts, saying that the claims of Moltex Energy are misleading. Who to believe? A UK company recently established in Saint John to access public funding for its nuclear project, or US experts with no conflict of interest? The US experts say that the Moltex claims are wrong. The article is in the National Observer today, you can read it HERE.
Author: CREDNB
New Brunswick project: Will Canada remain a credible nonproliferation partner?
Today the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists published an article by CRED-NB’s Susan O’Donnell and collaborator Gordon Edwards, president of the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility. The article focuses on the letter sent in May by nine US scientists and non-proliferation experts, countering misleading claims made by Saint John’s Moltex Energy about their proposed project to extract plutonium from used nuclear fuel. You can read the article HERE.
We Can Achieve 80% Renewables in New Brunswick by 2030
The Conservation Council of New Brunswick (CCNB) published a statement today stating that New Brunswick can achieve 80% renewables by 2030. The statement links to a factsheet.
The statement is responding to the CBC report about the plans by the government of New Brunswick government to keep the Belledune coal-energy plant operating into 2040.
CCNB has created a letter-writing tool to speak out for renewables. Use it to send your letter to the provincial minister of energy Mike Holland, cc to Premier Higgs. It’s at the end of this page.
Is nuclear winning? [video]
Metta Spence, a sociologist, has been running the “Project Save the World” for Peace Magazine. They produce a video almost every weekday on YouTube with people discussing different global issues. This week, CRED-NB’s Susan O’Donnell appeared with Metta, M.V. Ramana from the University of British Columbia, and Doug Saunders from the Globe & Mail. Metta titled the video: Is Nuclear Winning? You can view the video here.
CRED-NB endorses CCNB letter opposing NB’s plan to delay ending coal power
The Conservation Council of New Brunswick (CCNB) wrote to federal Environment Minister Wilkinson with concerns about New Brunswick’s proposed regulation Phasing Out of Coal-fired Electricity Generation – Climate Change Act. CRED-NB was among the many groups endorsing the CCNB letter. Our concerns regard the use of equivalency agreements when Canada is promoting its commitment to phasing out coal-fired electricity by 2030 within the Powering Past Coal Alliance. Read the letter HERE.
Who is pushing the new nuclear reactors and why should we care?
CRED-NB member Dr. Susan O’Donnell participated in a panel event last week organized by the Ontario Clean Air Alliance (OCAA). The panel followed a discussion with the maker of the film: The Atom: A Love Affair.
The OCAA organized a Canadian screening of the film that is open for another week, till July 11. It’s a high-quality feature length film that explains the history of nuclear power, including interviews with key people involved. Tickets cost $10. Access to the film is HERE.
At the panel, Susan spoke about SMNRs: who is pushing them and why should we care? You can view the video of her presentation on YouTube (11 minutes):
Scientists say New Brunswick’s plutonium plan is undermining the global nuclear weapons non-proliferation regime
US experts are raising the alarm about the Moltex plans to extract plutonium at Point Lepreau on the Bay of Fundy. Read the new article published by the NB Media Co-op, here.
US Experts to Trudeau: Your Nuclear Dream May Turn Nightmare
RAVEN researcher Susan O’Donnell, a member of CRED-NB, was interviewed in an article published today by The Tyee. The story was prompted after nine US experts sent a letter to Prime Minister Trudeau about the nuclear weapons proliferation implications of the federal government’s support for the Moltex project in New Brunswick. You can read it here.
Key points for the federal radioactive waste policy
CRED-NB has been working with Nuclear Waste Watch and a national committee of civil society groups. We have ID’d key points we want to see in the new federal policy:
- No importing of radioactive waste from other countries
- No plutonium extraction (reprocessing or pyro-processing) of radioactive fuel waste
- Canada needs an independent agency, arms-length from government and industry, to oversee radioactive waste management and decommissioning
- Radioactive waste should NOT be abandoned; policy should direct perpetual care and monitoring
- Government and industry must be open and transparent in the management of radioactive waste and its transportation
- Indigenous peoples and all Canadians have a right to access information, to engage in decision-making, and to know the risks
Peskotomuhkati chief unhappy about nuclear reactor testing on his traditional territory
The APTN published a story this week about the nuclear projects planned for Point Lepreau on the Bay of Fundy.
In the article, Chief Hugh Akagi “says he hasn’t been formally consulted – but has been to a presentations put on by NB Power about the SMR project. He says he is unlikely he’ll ever give it his support.”
“Until I can have an assurance that the impact on the future is zero,” says Akagi, “I don’t want to 100 years, 200 years is still seven generations. I want zero impact.”
You can read the full APTN article HERE.