Bruce Power's accident risk has increased dramatically and provincial and municipal off-site nuclear emergency plans are incomplete, despite years of operation.
That's the opinion of two groups who will be making submissions to Bruce Power's application to continue operating the Bruce A and B nuclear stations before the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. The hearings opened last night, and continue through Thursday in Kincardine.
Theresa McClenaghan, executive director of the Canadian Environmental Law Association, said a plan needs to be put in place so they can get people away from a possible nuclear disaster very quickly.
Shawn-Patrick Stensil, senior nuclear analyst with Greenpeace Canada, asked if Bruce Power had learned any lessons from the Fukushima disaster in Japan. He said studies have shown that the magnitude of accidental radioactive releases would be significantly higher at the Bruce site than Ontario's other nuclear stations.
Greenpeace will request the commission give a temporary one-year license for the Bruce A reactors so the safety case and possible upgrades to the station can be publicly scrutinized before the life-extension can be approved.
Meanwhile more than 3400 people have signed an online petition in favour of Bruce Power’s licence renewal.
The Bruce Chapter for North America Young Generation Nuclear teamed up with the Bruce Power Pensioners Association, the Canadian Nuclear Workers Council and Women in Nuclear Canada to launch the online petition in early March.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission continues to hold hearings at the Kincardine Davidson Centre today, tomorrow and Thursday to consider the renewal of Bruce Power’s Reactor Operating License for a five year period.
The Re-licensing Hearings will feature presentations from interested parties including the Canadian Nuclear Workers Council, and the Bruce Power Pensioners Association.