Michigan Congressman Fred Upton's amendment to the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2018 to prohibit nuclear waste facilities near the Great Lakes has been approved by the House of Representatives.
The amendment comes as Ontario Power Generation (OPG) continues to seek approval to construct a deep geologic repository for nuclear waste less than one mile from Lake Huron in Kincardine.
The amendment now moves to the U.S. Senate.
"The Great Lakes are the lifeblood of our great state,” said Upton. “Right now we have four spent nuclear fuel sites, including two in Southwest Michigan right on the shores of Lake Michigan. Keeping spent fuel there in perpetuity is not an option, especially when a permanent, responsible solution has long been available. This amendment sends a bipartisan message that we will continue working to protect our Great Lakes for future generations.”