Waterkeeper comments on CNSC's Fukushima report
You can read the full submission as a pdf here.
The meltdown at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in March 2011 came at the same time that Lake Ontario Waterkeeper participated in the Darlington New Nuclear Build hearing. The Fukushima disaster resulted in a massive release of radioactive material to the environment. It devastated the communities whose water, air, soil, wildlife, and crops were contaminated. The effects continue to be felt almost nine months later, as the full extent of the contamination is still becoming apparent.
The events in Japan raise important questions, necessitating a reexamination of the way that nuclear facilities are designed, reviewed, and regulated. The disaster highlights areas of concern relevant to all nuclear facilities, regardless of their reactor type (CANDU or other technology), the proximity to seismically active zones, or the type of cooling system. Any number of scenarios exist, beyond an earthquake or tsunami, that could compromise the cooling system at a nuclear facility.
Summary of Lake Ontario Waterkeeper's recommendations:
The Task Force report should include consideration of the real and/or perceived conflict of interest inherent in Canada’s nuclear regulatory system, in light of Japan’s decision to separate the nuclear regulator from the industry’s promoter.
The CNSC’s approach to environmental assessments, including administration and application of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, should have been evaluated in light of Fukushima.
The lessons and recommendations identified by the Task Force should be applied to all nuclear facility reviews, regardless of whether they are licensing hearings or environmental assessments.
The Darlington New Nuclear Power Plant proposal should be sent back to the Panel for reconsideration with specific reference to the Task Force report.